News

Dr. Eyhab Bader Eddin delivered a presentation titled Translation Process Mapping: Key Tools to Explore Translation Cognitive Dimensions at a seminar organized by the Language Research Center of King Khalid University held on March 20, 2019.

Dr. Bader Eddin, in his presentation, focused on the translation process from the cognitive point of view. He explained the Communication Theory. He stated that this theory is based on the premise that product-based models are inadequate to explain the realities of translation. He noted that this theory was adopted by Nida and Reyburn in 1981. According to this theory, as observed by Dr. Bader Eddin, one is not likely to comprehend and respond to a message in identically the same way. The rationale is that no two people share the same linguistic, educational, cultural, social backgrounds.

Dr. Bader Eddin also mentioned that a translator is an active participant in communications who, either wittingly or unwittingly shapes or shades messages being translated. This phenomenon became widely recognized by way of Koller's research in 1979. Later, the 'Relevance Theory' (RT) rose in popularity among linguists and translation professionals. This theory recognizes a shift from static linguistic conceptualization of translation to a cognitive approach to translation.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Bader Eddin is uniquely qualified to opine upon the various methods of accounting for cultural differences in language translation. He is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (MCIL) and a Chartered Linguist (CL). Many language professionals have never heard of the Chartered Linguist professional designation, and for good reason. The CL was adopted fairly recently, as per Royal Charter of HM Queen Elizabeth II in July of 2005. Only 520 translators worldwide have achieved CL status, only 3 of whom are in the Middle East. Dr. Bader Eddin noted: 'Enlightened linguists place a high value on all languages, and truly respect the societal values and cultural norms of the various peoples that use each language. Of course, translators and interpreters must have a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of their subject languages. But technical competence is not enough. To ensure truly accurate communication between and among people, language professionals must have a deep understanding of each participant's culture and society. Critical information can be overlooked or misinterpreted because of the inherent nuances of language. One must really know the society and the culture to completely understand many of these nuances. We all benefit politically, economically and socially when human communications are thoroughly and precisely understood. We all may suffer when things get 'lost in translation'. One must make a sharp distinction between 'a loss in translation' and 'a loss of translation'. All languages differ in what they 'MUST' convey, rather than what they 'MAY' convey, and it is between that 'must' and 'may' what has attracted Translation scholars' attention to write on such many disciplines as translation criticism, translation didactics, translation quality assessment, and descriptive translation studies. The CL designation isn't something used to pad a Curricula Vitae or a certificate for bragging rights. Accepting the CL is an acknowledgment of responsibility to use one's linguistic acumen for the betterment of society. I am proud to represent King Khalid University and the Faculty of Languages and Translation as a CL professional'.