It’s no secret that translation, localization, and language scholarship are often thankless jobs.
When an individual reads a great book translated from a non-native language, plays a video game with text and user interface elements painstakingly localized, or watches a subtitled film, their admiration is typically reserved for the original author or creators. And while that’s well warranted — after all, the work wouldn’t exist without them — they rarely consider the linguistic team that spent untold hours capturing its meaning and significance in a different language.
But while the humble translator rarely receives the recognition they deserve, that doesn’t mean they’re invisible. For the past two decades, Saudi Arabian institutions have endeavored to promote the Arabic language through honors for its most accomplished literary and linguistic minds.
In October, for instance, the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language announced the winning scholars and linguists for its annual awards, chief among them the Syrian scholar Dr. Mazen Abdul Qader Al-Mubarak. Acknowledging his significant contributions in Arabic research, writing, and intellectual framework development, academy leaders bestowed upon him the Award for Promoting Linguistic Awareness and Innovative Community Initiatives.
“This honor crowns a scholarly career spanning more than seven decades, during which Dr. Al-Mubarak became known for his efforts to strengthen linguistic awareness and highlight the connection between language, identity, culture, and development, guided by a scientific approach that combines authenticity, precision, and field-based research and education,” Amer Dhawa wrote for the Syrian Arab News Agency.
The King Salman Global Academy is hardly the only institution seeking to honor linguistic professionals, either. Institutional support through the King Abdulaziz Public Library, Arab Thought Foundation, and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Foundation for Humanitarian Works is also vital for honoring the year’s greatest services to the Arabic language while also offering hardworking linguists some well-deserved laurels and financial support.
Perhaps the crown jewel for the Arabic linguist is the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation. Each year, the program honors linguists and institutions working in the humanities, natural sciences, and applied sciences for work translating into Arabic from other languages and the reverse.
In September, the award program hosted its 11th ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, celebrating the work of Arabic linguists from around the world. With 226 nominations celebrating translated works, institutions, and individuals, the awards brought together professionals working in 12 languages across 26 countries. Officials highlighted the award as particularly significant in light of the work to advance Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic agenda.
“Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees and General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library Faisal bin Muammar stated that the translation award plays a vital role in advancing the Saudi Vision 2030, particularly by fostering knowledge and global engagement,” reported the Saudi Press Agency.
With applications from more than 60 countries and 7,127 works in 45 languages, the competition was stiff. But 2025 emerged as a significant year for the award, with Dr. Zaidu Jibril Muhammad making history as the first African winner of the program’s top prize. Along with the year’s other winners, Muhammad proves that while linguistics can often feel like an unsung profession, there are still institutional and cultural forces seeking to uplift professional excellence.