QU marks International Translation Day

On September 30, the world celebrates International Translation Day to raise awareness of the important role that the language play to develop our society and bringing nations together. In this context, Qatar University (QU) has reviewed several QU specialists' opinions about the significance of learning the right skills to translate.

Musa Abu Huzaima, acting department head of English, said: “Studying translation is very important in making the future. Perhaps translation is one of the oldest models of professions inherited. In the development of languages and the translation movement, history goes back to the Abbasid era in Baghdad and Umayyad era in Andalusia. The Arab-Islamic civilisation was a maker of knowledge by encouraging the translation movement from the Latin, Greek and Persian languages. Because of this movement, the Europeans started to translate books from Arabic into European languages and many European universities have based their teachings and research on what Arabs have achieved.” Dhafir Kasassbeh, a lecturer of English, noted: “Increasing global interaction has highlighted the importance of translation as a central field of knowledge in academia, between cultures and languages in 21st-century societies. When languages interact with each other in different areas such as commerce, tourism, art, politics, scientific research, defence and security, it is natural for one to affect and be affected by the other. It is also clear that translation has become a more integrated and dynamic tool for bringing about change, facilitating expansion and paving the way for development in various fields such as information technology and the dissemination of globalisation itself. Consequently, translation has taken a pioneering role in connecting different cultures, organisations, businesses and societies around the world.”Karima Ben Abbes, a lecturer of English, said: “Learning English requires mastering four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Improving the skills requires an interactive material, talented teachers and an environment where students can demonstrate their ideas and think critically. QU English lectures are delivered while being aware of the importance of these key factors to enhance English language skills. In this context, they use a variety of interactive tools such as games, role-playing games, presentations, critical reading and technology tools that will help the students develop their language skills."Mondher Chaabane, another lecturer of English, added: “The Foundation Program at QU seeks to educate students about the importance of accuracy in translation and information dissemination. This is reflected in the organisation of training sessions and conferences aimed at developing students' skills in translation and their ability to disseminate cultural heritage.”Atef Mohamed, section head of Translation and Interpretation, explained: “Translation constitutes the most important bridge of communication between nations to achieve a better understanding of dialogues, cultures, meetings and cultural, scientific and literary products. Translation has played an important role in transferring sciences since ancient times between different countries and civilisations. QU has established a translation department within Communication and Public Relations to improve the language services provided to the university community.”Dr Ahmed al-Abbasi, translator/interpreter, Communication and Public Relations Department, said: "Translation is an effective channel of communication and the main bridge of communication between different cultures. In appreciation of translators' efforts, many scientific awards and academic institutions concerned with translation have been established in various countries. Qatar has organised many periodic international events and conferences in the field of translation. Also, Qatar has organised the largest international scientific award concerned with strengthening and honouring translation.” Gamal Mohamed, translator/interpreter, Communication and Public Relations Department, said: “In any translation, the problems that arise are probably not simply linguistic but sociocultural. Hence, just like research, the translation process must tackle the challenges posed by the diverse problems that continually arise in trying to provide a reliable version in one language of texts produced in another.”Khalid Alnoman, translator/interpreter, Communication and Public Relations Department, added: “One of the important tasks for translation is peacekeeping in the world, as it contributes to the accurate drafting of projects and peace treaties to be understandable and acceptable to all partners. Translation also plays a critical role in multinational and multicultural companies and organizations to promote their products and services all over the world. In addition, the transmission of news requires the accurate and certified translation of news coming from different sources. Translation's role also extends to the cultural exchange between civilisations in different forms such as art, music, cinema and literature, poetry, songs and religious matters, so that people can communicate with each other and interact positively with each other.”