Doha, May 17 (QNA) - A seminar was held as part of the cultural events of the 35th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) on translation as a bridge between cultures.

Convening a phalanx of specialists and experts, the seminar featured writer and translator Mohammed Ayat Hanna, Dr. Ali Almanna, Associate Professor of Translation Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Ahmed Abdel Fattah, Director of Madarat for Research and Publishing, and was moderated by journalist and writer Alaa Karaja.

The seminar deliberated on the intellectual and cultural transformations related to the translation movement and its role in imparting knowledge among nations, as well as the challenges facing the translation and publishing industries in the Arab world, whether at the [linguistic], [economic], or [professional] level.

Writer Hanna highlighted that the Arabic language possesses rich lexical diversity, but this is not always reflected in daily usage and circulation.

He pointed out that this issue is clearly encountered during translation from one culture into another, as the process has nothing to do with merely conveying words, but rather lies in transferring the cultural and intellectual load associated with them.

Regarding the selection of subjects for translation, Hanna noted that choosing books for translation is done through understanding and partnership between the translator and the publisher. He suggested that the translator-publisher relationship remains a critical component in bringing translated works closer to Arab readers in a balanced and effective way.

At the end of the day, translation is a cultural project that requires [thoughtful harmony] and a [shared vision] among all participating parties, he pointed out.

For his part, Dr. Ali Almanna opined that translation is not merely transferring words from one language to another, but fundamentally lies in conveying the [cognitive image] formed in the imagination of readers and translators during their interaction with texts.

He also stressed that when translators recreate imagery within another language, they may move to varying degrees away from the original text -either slightly or substantially -depending on the nature of the images formed during the processes of reading and interpretation.

Ahmed Abdel Fattah recalled that the translation movement is facing tremendous economic challenges in the Arab world, highlighting that the translation industry remains [limited] and [weak] commercially compared to the scale of global cultural production, something that is directly reflected in the proliferation of translated books and their presence in markets and libraries.

Translation markets are grappling with issues related to distribution and weak consumer turnout, alongside the limited spread of libraries in some Arab countries, something that undermines the flow of publications to readers, Abdel Fattah suggested.

He added that publishing and translation require greater support, while noting that translation itself does not always face formidable challenges, particularly when the translator is a skilled professional who comprehends the nature of the text being translated.

Abdel Fattah emphasized that successful translation depends on clear understanding and coordination among all parties involved, as well as a strong grasp of the character and context of the text. (QNA)