Sana’a, Yemen – Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sana’a University’s Community Center for Translation and Language Teaching (CCTLT) hosted a webinar titled “Arabic Language and the Intricacies of Translation” to commemorate International Arabic Language Day, under the patronage of University Rector, Prof. Al-Kasem Mohammed Abbas. The virtual event, held via Zoom and live-streamed on social media, attracted over 3,000 viewers and 114 active participants, including faculty members, researchers, translation students, translators, and those interested in the fields of Arabic and English language studies from various public and private universities within Yemen and abroad.
Five expert speakers specialized in Arabic, English, and translation studies presented papers exploring various facets of the Arabic language and the complexities of translation in the modern era. Dr. Bakil Al-Marrani discussed the significance of Arabic in contemporary society, emphasizing the importance of grammar and morphological studies. Dr. Tariq Al-Wahbani addressed the challenges faced by translators working with Arabic, focusing on phonetic, grammatical, and semantic hurdles. He recommended integrating Arabic language courses across all academic levels, particularly for aspiring translators. Additionally, Dr. Altaf Al-Fandi explored the principles of Arabic for translation purposes, comparing Arabic and English sentence structures. Dr. Abdul Hameed Al-Shuja’s presentation, “The Arabic Language and the Dust of Translation,” examined common errors in Arabic-English translation that can distort meaning. Finally, Dr. Ibraheem N.A. Tagaddeen discussed the challenges of translating between Arabic and English in the context of globalization and digital advancements, highlighting the role of Arabic language academies and translation centers in Arabicizing knowledge and sciences as well as preserving Arab-Islamic cultural identity.
A lively question-and-answer session followed the presentations, with attendees praising the webinar’s focus on the importance of the Arabic language’s unique features and its role in maintaining cultural heritage and fostering intercultural communication. The participants emphasized the need for continued support of research in the fields of translation and Arabic language studies.
Dr. Tagaddeen, CCTLT Director, expressed his gratitude to the speakers, attendees, and online viewers. He reiterated the Center’s commitment to promoting the Arabic language and fostering scholarly studies in the field of translation.
