During a discussion session at the 2024 Sharjah International Book Fair titled “Translation and Its awards – Turjuman Award Seminar,” several translators emphasized the vital role of translation prizes in promoting mutual understanding and expanding the reach of Arabic literature. They discussed the impact of these awards in honoring the efforts of translators, increasing the number of translated books, and the challenges of literary translation to and from Arabic.
The session featured Dr. Isabella Camera D’Avelito, an Italian academic translator; Dr. Luis Miguel Caneda, a literary translator from Arabic to Spanish; Professor Sobhi Al-Boustani, a Lebanese-French academic and critic; Dr. Mohamed Haqi, translator of Ibn Hazm’s The Collar of the Dove into Turkish and the winner of the Turjuman Award for 2024; and Saadiyat Ozen, the owner of the “Alpha” publishing group, which published the Turkish translation of The Collar of the Dove.
Dr. Isabella Camara D’Avelito pointed out that translation has become essential for enhancing intercultural dialogue, thanks to awards like the Turjuman Award, which directly supports translators and has contributed to increasing the number of books translated from Arabic into other languages. This has helped spread Arabic literature and introduced Western students to distinguished literature they might not otherwise be familiar with. She said, “The Turjuman Award has changed the course of many small publishing houses and has helped strengthen the efforts of large publishers, supporting their future publishing plans.”
Dr. Luis Miguel Caneda discussed three main functions of translation awards: honoring translators for their outstanding work, enhancing societal appreciation for the translation profession, and motivating translators to continue their work through financial rewards. He emphasized the importance of following up on the results of these awards and showcasing the winning books at book fairs, noting that there are over 30 awards in the Arab world that support the dissemination of Arab thought and literature in the West.
Professor Sobhi Al-Boustani explained that translation requires a comprehensive system involving both Arab and foreign publishers, the translator, and the reader. He highlighted that the lack of sufficient attention from some Arab publishers in establishing dedicated translation departments hinders the process of publishing Arabic literature. He stressed the importance of awards like the Turjuman Award in achieving the desired positive impact of enhancing Western readers’ understanding of Arabic literature and overcoming these challenges.
Saadiyat Ozen expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the Turjuman Award, noting that the award serves as an encouraging platform that enables publishers to remove cultural barriers between the East and the West. She expressed hope that the award will contribute to the development of contemporary literature and children’s literature in particular.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Haqi, the winner of the Turjuman Award for his Turkish translation of The Collar of the Dove by Ibn Hazm, expressed his happiness about winning the award. He spoke about the long history of translation since the Abbasid era and the role of translators in transmitting knowledge and literature between peoples. He called for strengthening the role of awards in motivating translators and ensuring the sustainability of their work.
