The Community Center for Translation and Language Teaching (CCTLT), in collaboration with the Translation Department of the Faculty of Languages at Sana’a University and the University Student Forum, organized a scientific symposium today in honor of International Translation Day (September 30).
During the symposium, Dr. Abbas Mutahar, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Languages at Sana’a University, discussed the establishment of the Translation Department, which has been operational since 2012 as the first academic department specializing in translation in Yemeni universities. He underscored its vital role in fostering cooperation and dismantling language and cultural barriers between nations. Dr. Mutahar described translation as a gateway to global openness, facilitating communication across diverse civilizations and languages for humanitarian purposes. He characterized it as an art form that transforms the unfamiliar into the familiar, enabling swift understanding and connection among peoples.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Ibraheem Tagaddeen, Director of the Community Center for Translation & Language Teaching (CCTLT) at Sana’a University, commended all those involved in organizing the symposium for the International Translation Day 2024. He highlighted the rapid advancements in science and technology in today’s world of globalization and digitalization, which necessitate the translation of various fields of knowledge, and require translators to keep pace with recent developments in translation technology. Assoc. Prof. Tagaddeen further explained that translation is a crucial tool for cultural and civilizational communication between nations, playing a significant role in knowledge transfer and providing opportunities for societies to engage with contemporary civilizations. He asserted that no society could flourish without a proactive translation movement that facilitates knowledge exchange for future generations.
Furthermore, Dr. Tagaddeen underlined the role of translation in the context of war, indicating that translation in such circumstances transcends mere profession and becomes a noble mission aimed at preserving national identity and conveying truths. He explained that CCTLT has actively worked to expose the crimes of war on Yemen by translating reports about the situation in Yemen into eight foreign languages, shedding light on what has often been described as a “forgotten war.”
To illustrate the diverse applications of translation, the symposium featured several working papers. Dr. Mujeeb Qasim explored “The Impact of Political Ideologies on the Translation Process in Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,” while Dr. Abdul Hamid Al-Shuja presented topic on “Standards and Measures of Translation Quality.” Dr. Abdul Wadood Al-Nuzaili discussed “The Reality of the Translation Profession in Yemen,” and Dr. Faisal Aldawli addressed “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Translation.”
The symposium was attended by the University Rector’s Advisor for Media Affairs, Mr. Adel Al-Hababi, faculty members, translators, and students from Sana’a University and other private universities. It sparked lively discussions about the vital role of translation in preserving cultural, national, religious, and linguistic identity against attempts of the nation’s enemies and colonizers to undermine it.
The event concluded with entertaining segments on translation, a competition, and a promotional video highlighting CCTLT’s diverse initiatives and programs. At last, a group of outstanding translators, both academics and students, were honored and given certificates of appreciation for their fruitful efforts in advancing the translation profession in Yemen.
