Part one
The Arabic language is known worldwide for its capacity to capture poetry, beauty, and artistry. So why is Arabic literature so neglected when it comes to translation and localization funding?
Literary translators have long bemoaned the dearth of work available for Arabic novels and poetry. But why are the pickings so slim? It’s a good question with varied and complicated explanations, but Egyptian translator, editor and author Nashwa Nasreldin believes part of the challenge is the lack of connections to the literary world’s movers and shakers.
"The opportunity now lies in uplifting the work and voices of translators based in the Middle East, who have less access to the support networks than we do living in the West," she told The National.
As Nasreldin details in the interview, the central problem facing literary translators — especially Arabic literary translators — is there’s simply not enough work. Consequently, linguists with the highly specialized talent of translating literary beauty and meaning are forced to find additional jobs to pay the bills.
"I split my time working as a writer, an editor and a translator," she told The National. "Like most emerging translators, initially the challenges lay in making a name for oneself in a very competitive industry – and this was back when there were fewer Arabic literary translators than there are now. At the time, it was also difficult to compete with translators who didn't have an Arab-sounding name, as publishers would often assume we were less proficient in English."
“The disparity still exists, especially amongst Arab publishers and authors who still believe that a so-called 'native English speaker' would have a stronger grasp in English than a translator who was raised bilingual, as I was,” she added.
Arabic translators largely stay in the game despite the frustrations because of their passion for Arabic literature. For many such translators, it’s the uniquely expressive qualities of the Arabic language that make its literary works a joy to experience. And the challenge inherent in the work is capturing that joy for non-speakers.
“Our language is exposed to erosion, and it is not only linguistic but cultural. I sometimes see translation shortcuts in certain books and the casual way Arabic is used online,” Lebanese author Hoda Barakat told The National. “As writers, we have to be guardians of the Arabic language, maintain our respect for it, before we give to the next generation.”
“I view my writing as a continual process of refinement, expansion and purification,” she added. “Doing it that way made me feel immersed, and at times I rediscovered the beauty of the Arabic language. I can teach in English and I also write in French, but the only literature I want to be involved in is Arabic.”
But Barakat sees hopeful signs for Arabic literature and its growth among a global readership. Part of that is rooted in the classes she teaches, which has seen an influx of students often from non-literary fields like political science or physics. Another factor is the greater prestige Arabic literary works are enjoying through growing cultural institutions like the United Arab Emirates’ Sheikh Zayed Book Award, which added a grant for Arabic literary translation in 2018.
“There is an awakening in the Arab world with major institutions that have begun to truly care about reviving the Arabic language with determination, will and a forward-looking sense,” she told The National. “We cannot continue if our language does not envision the future. As someone who lives, breathes and works in the language, I tell you that it is alive and well, and we should keep it that way.”