On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the Department of English Language held an international workshop entitled ” Translation: Theory and Practice” with Amman Arab University in Jordan. It discussed translation, both in terms of theory and practice which refers to the process of converting written or spoken text from one language (source language) into another language (target language) while preserving the meaning, style, and cultural nuances of the original text. It involves the transfer of meaning from the source language to the target language, taking into account linguistic, cultural, and contextual factors.
The workshop’s first session was presented by associate professor Dr. May Al-Shaikhli in department of English language and translation in college of arts and sciences in Amman Arab University. Dr May concentrated on the theoretical background of translation and mentioned that translation studies are an interdisciplinary field that examines the principles, methods, and challenges of translation. Furthermore, it explores the nature of translation, the role of the translator, and the impact of translation on language, culture, and society. Translation theory encompasses various approaches and models that provide frameworks for understanding and analyzing the translation process.
In the second session, Prof. Dr. Misbah M. Al-Sulaimaan in department of English language in college of education and languages in Lebanese French University focused on translation in terms of practice. Generally, in terms of practice, translation refers to the actual process of converting a text from one language to another while maintaining its meaning, style, and intent. Every text or piece of language is a complex living structure. To understand, it needs a multi-disciplinary study. Hence, the claim that no translation unless the text is fully understood. Thus, we believe that translation is an operation that can be performed in two languages or more in the sense that lexicons of source language can be replaced by lexicons of target language, syntactic structure by syntactic structures, semantic elements by semantic elements, pragmatic elements by pragmatic elements.
Workshop Outcome
Translation is important both in theory and practice for several reasons:
- Preserving Meaning and Intention: In theory, translation aims to preserve the meaning, intention, and style of the source text in the target language. It ensures that the translated text accurately conveys the original message, context, and cultural nuances, enabling effective cross-cultural communication.
- Bridging Language Barriers: Both in theory and practice, translation serves as a bridge that overcomes language barriers. It allows people who speak different languages to access and understand information, knowledge, and ideas that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Translation promotes inclusivity and equal access to education, information, and services.
Presenter/s Information
- Prof. Dr. May Al-Shaikhli holds PHD in Mousl university /Mousl /Iraq.
She is currently an associate professor in department of English language and translation in college of arts and sciences in Amman Arab University.
- Dr. Misbah M. Al-Sulaimaan holds PHD in Mousl University /Mosul/ Iraq.
He is currently a professor in the department of English language in college of education and languages in Lebanese French University.
