Semantic Problems in A. J. Arberry’s Translation of the Suspended Odes (Al-Muallaqat)
On October 25, 2017, the Language Research Center of King Khalid University hosted a seminar featuring a presentation by Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin. The discussion was rooted in Dr. Eyhab's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Semantic Problems in A. J. Arberry’s Translation of the Suspended Odes (Al-Muallaqat)."
In his presentation, Dr. Eyhab elaborated on the scope of his thesis, which examined semantic, lexical, morpho-syntactic, and cultural issues in Arthur John Arberry’s translation of Al-Muallaqat. This work is a collection of ancient Arabic odes, also known as "The Suspended Odes" or "The Hanging Poems." These are considered seminal works in Arabic literature, composed in pre-Islamic Arabia during the first half of the 6th century.
Dr. Eyhab emphasized the significance of his thesis and discussed the reasons many researchers have been hesitant to study Al-Muallaqat. He highlighted several challenges, including the collection's archaic vocabulary, rich creative imagination, and the precise description of objects that it demands.
In addition to outlining the framework of his thesis, Dr. Eyhab provided an in-depth explanation of his methodology, the topics he analyzed, and his research findings. He concluded his presentation by discussing the impact of his findings on the field, and suggested implications and directions for further research.
The seminar was accessible to the Women's College of the Faculty of Languages and Translation via teleconferencing, allowing for wider participation in the discussion.
Overall, the seminar was highly interactive and successful, providing valuable insights into a seminal work of Arabic literature.
