Over the course of three days, Sharjah Office, World Book Capital 2019, organized a specialized workshop for 12 translators from seven Arab and foreign countries, with the aim of developing their literary translation skills in both Arabic and English.
The workshop, which concluded yesterday, was titled "Translate", in cooperation with the British Council, Kalimat Group, and the "New Rating North" Foundation at the Al-Rawi Cultural Café in Sharjah.
The initiative is part of the program prepared by Sharjah to participate in the London International Book Fair 2020, which focuses on the emirate’s role and position as a regional translation platform, in addition to its efforts in the publishing sector concerned with translation from and to Arabic at the local and regional levels.
Unique opportunity
On the first day of the workshop, Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of the International Publishers Association, Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Sharjah World Book Capital 2019, and the founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, thanked the participants. She said: “The importance of the translation movement stands out in the fact that it provides a unique opportunity to learn about different cultures and to know what is happening in events around the world; and your participation in such an event would contribute to facing one of the most important challenges represented in introducing Arab culture, and converging viewpoints. With the various civilizations of the world and promoting the values of sympathy. ” Gavin Anderson, director of the British Council in the Emirates, said: “We are keen to support translation because it is the means by which we can share our literary works and this would give us all an insight into other worlds and experiences.” He added: «Sharjah has managed over the past 18 months to achieve qualitative achievements represented in its victory in the title of the International Book Capital, and its participation as a guest of honor in six international book fairs around the world; therefore this event is an ideal opportunity for everyone to see the emirate’s pioneering experience in promoting a culture Reading and love of literary arts ».
skills development
The workshop presented by Elizabeth Jacket, Jonathan Wright, Ahmed Al Ali and Buthaina Khaldi focused on the professional development of the participating translators, developing their practical skills, creating opportunities to communicate with leading translation experts, as well as meeting with a selection of Arab and foreign professional translators.
The list of translators who specialize in translating from English into Arabic included: Omaima Subhi (Egypt), Haifa Abu El-Nadi (Jordan), Samar Mahfouz (Lebanon), Zouina Zouaya (Amman), Touta Al-Assafin (Syria), and Malaid Faiza (United States); while he included The team of translators specializing in translating from Arabic into English is Raphael Cohen (Egypt), the legacy of Ahmedzai Kemp, Catherine Holes, Nima Al Arabi, Valentina Vienne (UK), and Karen McNeill (USA).
Date
The Tarjim workshop came as part of a five-day scholarship for Sharjah organized by the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 in cooperation with partner organizations. The participating translators were also acquainted with Sharjah's rich history and cultural heritage during a special tour of the emirate’s landmarks, foremost of which is Al Noor Island and the Heart of Sharjah.
Al-Qasimi role:
"The workshop contributes to facing one of the most prominent challenges, which is introducing Arab culture and bringing views closer."
The initiative is part of the Sharjah program to participate in the "London Book".
12- A translator from 7 Arab and foreign countries participated in the workshop.