-1History of Translation in the
Arab World
What is translation?
Translation is the transmittal of written text from
one language into another. Although the
terms translation and interpretation are often
used interchangeably, by strict definition,
translation Refers to the written language, and
interpretation to the spoken word.
Important point to consider:
Translation must take into account constraints
that include context, the rules of grammar of the
two languages, their writing conventions, and
their idioms. A common misconception is that
there exists a simple word-for-word
correspondence between any two languages, and
that translation is a straightforward mechanical
process. A word-for-word translation does not
take into account context, grammar,
conventions, and idioms.
Who uses translation services?
• Translation services is been used world wide on
a daily basis in both governmental / private
sectors as well as formal and informal situations
like: medical records, political conferences and
letters, legal fields , educational conferences,
and conversation with a foreign friend etc..
2 ND CENTURY
• The early translations used in Arabic are dated back to the
time of the Syrians.
• According to Addidaoui, Jarjas was one of the best Syrian
translators. He translated Aristotle’s book into Arabic.
• The time of Prophet Mohamed is of importance for
translation history.
2nd Century
• One of the most famous translators of the time is
Zaid Ibnu Thabet.
• Another era that knew significant changes in Arabic
translation was related to the translation of the
Koran.
• Despite the rapid increase of the Koran translations,
this matter was and is still the point of many debates
and conflicts in the Arab world.
2nd Century
• The core of the conflicts that existed and still exist in the
translation of Koran is related to the reason behind
translation itself, whether to use the translation as a way
to teach the principles of Islam or to use it in praying and
legislation was the difficult choice that faced translators.
1st Abbasid period
• Translation knew an enhancement with the Caliph AlMansour, who built the city of Baghdad. It was also
developed in the time of the Caliph Al-Ma’moun, who built
‘Bait Al Hikma’, which was the greatest institute of
translation at that time.
Al-Jahid
• One of the greatest theorists in translation
• “The translator should know the structure of the speech,
habits of the people and their ways of understanding each
other.”
• Stressed the importance of revision after translation
Contemporary Time
• The proliferation of studies in the domain helps in the
development of translation and the birth of new theorists.
• Translation in the Arab world also benefits from the use of
computers, digital materials and the spread of databases
of terminologies that offer translators a considerable
amount of dictionaries.