UAE | Education

Translation conference aims to enhance knowledge base

Translation is an important tool in bridging the gap between people and cultures and can also enhance mutual understanding and peaceful interaction in the world, said a UAE minister.

  • By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 23:40 November 18, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Shaikh Nahyan stressed the need for establishing a complete record of all Arabic translation works.
  • Image Credit: Aftab Kazmi/Gulf News

Al Ain: Translation is an important tool in bridging the gap between people and cultures and can also enhance mutual understanding and peaceful interaction in the world, said a UAE minister.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have launched major translation initiatives that aims to enhance the knowledge base in Arab societies and making Arabic available to readers outside the region, said Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

He was delivering the inaugural speech at the opening of the First International Conference on Translation/Interpretation and the Impact of Globalisation here at the UAE University (UAEU).

Shaikh Nahyan, who is also the Chancellor of the UAEU, said the UAE is a true global community. "We understand the importance of promoting and reinforcing the common bonds that unite all of us as members of one interconnected world," he said. He said translation and globalisation are interconnected. He asked the participants of the conference to focus on the many issues and challenges faced by translation to and from the Arabic language.

Aim of session

"The value of the conference lies in examining the specific issues that influence translation to and from the Arabic language. These issues include the nature of the demand for Arabic translation both in Arabic world and outside the region," he said.

Issues like copyright laws, training of competent translators, and increasing potential machine translation, in addition to marketing, publishing and distribution of translated material also carry high importance, he added. "We also need to establish a complete record of all Arabic translation works," he said while emphasising the quality of translation.

"Any gains in quality must rest on a foundation of education and research, as well as strong coordination between writers, translators, users, and publishing houses," he noted.

Skilled graduates

"In the UAE, we are committed to ensuring that our graduates have these skills and attributes. We prepare them to participate in the resolution of global issues and concerns," he said.

The three-day conference aims to bring together scholars from all around the world to exchange ideas, share experiences and address current translation theories, issues, and techniques in all areas of translation.

The event has been organised by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the UAE University, and will have special emphasis on translation in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE.

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