[Functional disability indexes: translation difficulties and cross cultural adaptation problems].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the difficulties involved in translating tests in Arabic and to describe the translation methods and to apply those to functional indexes.


METHODS
Four functional indexes were translated and then subjected to the following test validation methods: back translation, pre-test, and review by an expert committee.


RESULTS
Translation problems were underlined. These include in particular the different types of equivalence between the source language and the target language (semantics, idioms, conceptual... equivalences). Problems related to comprehensive literal words were the most observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The current method combining translation with back translation is not sufficient and must be used with, a pre-test and a review committee.
Guermazi
Mohammad
M
Service de médecine physique et réadaptation fonctionnelle, Hôpital H. Bourguiba, Université du Sud, Sfax, Tunisie.
Yahia
Monem
M
Kessomtini
Wassia
W
Elleuch
Mohamed
M
Ghroubi
Sameh
S
Ould
Sidya Abderrahman
SA
Mrabet
Fouzia
F
Fki
Hbib
H
Fermanian
Jacques
J
Poiraudeau
Serge
S
Revel
Michel
M
Baklouti
Sofiène
S
Elleuch
Mohamed Habib
MH
D018912:Arabs; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D012720:Severity of Illness Index