News

On March 2, 2022, the Scientific Research Unit hosted a virtual roundtable discussion focused on the field of translation. The conversation was initiated by emphasizing the importance of translation and translation studies as disciplines concerning theory, description, and practical application. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Amal Metwally, who introduced translation as not only an interlingual transfer but also an intercultural communication tool. Metwally further elucidated that translation studies could be seen as an interdiscipline, intersecting with a variety of knowledge domains, including cultural studies, comparative literature, linguistics, semiotics, rhetoric, and technology in translation, among others.

The discussion featured three lecturers and emerging researchers who have achieved significant success in their respective areas of study and have completed their Master's degrees in translation from prestigious universities.

The first speaker was Ms. Asma Alahmari, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation. She delved into her research in translation, focusing on her dissertation titled "Comprehensive Text Analysis of the Arabic Translation of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho". Alahmari highlighted the differences between the discipline of translation and professional practice, elucidating various methods to assess translation quality and raising a question about the "voice of the translator". She also shared examples from her experiences as a Master's student and researcher at the University of Birmingham in 2019-2020.

The second speaker, Ms. Raghad Al-Qahtani, a lecturer at the College of Science and Arts in Ahad Rufaidah, spoke about her Master's thesis titled "An investigation into Translation Studies Curricula at Postgraduate Level in Terms of Students’ Needs Market Demand: The Case of Saudi Arabia’s KKU and KSU". Through her research, she evaluated the state of translator training in Saudi Arabia. Her findings indicated that students were generally satisfied with the curricula but suggested areas of improvement, particularly regarding the integration of translation technologies.

The discussion then transitioned to the third speaker, Ms. Rafif Najmi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation. In response to a question about her decision to pursue a project over a dissertation, Najmi explained that focusing on a translation project allowed her to gain practical experience in the field, which she deemed critical for her future Ph.D. candidacy.

Najmi's project revolved around the translation of the book "Master Your Emotions: The New 5-Step System to End Anxiety, Defuse Anger and Defeat Depression & Negative Thinking". She outlined several challenges encountered during the project, including linguistic and psychological aspects of the source text genre, issues of equivalence, cultural differences, and the difficulty of rendering idiomatic expressions.

The roundtable, primarily designed for translation students, also saw participation from interested faculty members. The discussion was met with positive feedback, with students expressing their appreciation for the insights shared by the speakers and their hope for more such discussions in the future. The speaker lineup is accessible via the link provided.

Overall, the roundtable proved to be an enriching platform, facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences, fostering deeper understanding, and providing inspiration for students navigating their own paths in the world of translation.