The Linguist

The Linguist 52,2

The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology

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INSTITUTE MATTERS DIVISIONS & SOCIETIES April © CRISPIN HUGHES/WWW.POETRYTRANSLATION.ORG 'VOICE, BODY AND MIND IN THE INTERPRETING ENVIRONMENT' Saturday 13 April Novotel, London, 10.30am-3.30pm ID Waxing lyrical on Arabic SIMON DALGLEISH ON THE RECENT ARABIC LITERARY EVENT As someone who understands not one word of Arabic, I was somewhat reluctant to write this article. But having attended the Translating Division's Arabic literary evening in February, I feel a lot more confident. It was totally riveting and I learned far more than I thought possible. The speakers were translator Peter Clark, novelist Selma Sabbagh, Poetry Translation Centre Director Sarah Maguire and poet Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi (pictured). The evening started with readings of a prose text and a poem, both in Arabic and in the English translation. I picked up repeated words in the English poem and listened for repeated sounds in the Arabic. It was confirmed that Arabic is, indeed, an inflected language. Various questions were put to the panel, mainly on the choice of words in English that would now be considered, in the West, to be politically incorrect. A debate ensued on this thorny issue and agreement was reached that the words were correct in the context and did not have a pejorative meaning for the Arab reader. Different cultures have different approaches to the same philosophy! 30 The Linguist APRIL/MAY The political situation in so much of the Middle East has had a major effect on the amount of literature produced, as well as on the subjects that it can cover. Selma Sabbagh was happy to report that the situation, albeit bad, is better than the Western media have led us to believe. Gradually things are improving and this trend is set to continue. The role of the female novelist is not doomed. Arabic poetry has a far older tradition than prose – and certainly than what is now called the novel. Poems and stories have been passed down orally over the centuries. I was reminded of the English ballads and the folk songs of various regions in the British Isles. Short extracts from one or two Arabic poems were then read and, although I did not understand what was being said, I could hear the metre and lyrical content of the work. It was really quite mesmerising – the sign of good poetry! If you missed the event this time, I can recommend www.poetrytranslation.org, which has a host of texts. In closing I would say, next time the division has an Arabic evening, don't miss it! Peter Clark explores Arabic literature in English translation further on page 12. One-day conference on stress management, with sessions on 'The voice as your tool' by interpreter trainer and BBC presenter Sandy Walsh; and 'Ethical dilemmas in public service interpreting' by Jan Cambridge FCIL. Gabriela Bocanete's interactive workshop will teach yoga techniques. A networking lunch is included. Novotel London City South, 53-61 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 9HH. 'INVOICES, ESTIMATES AND NON-PAYMENTS' Saturday 13 April YHA Manchester, NW 10am-12.30pm Sue Leschen's talk will range from quotes to late payments. NW members KEY DIVISIONS Business, Professions & Government: BPG EDU Education: ID Interpreting: TD Translating: SOCIETIES CAM Cambridge: GER German: HK Hong Kong: LINC Lincolnshire: LON London: NW North West: SCOT Scottish: SP Spanish: £10; guests £15; students £5. Optional networking lunch (filled baguette) £4. Book by 5 April: katrin.hiietam@ ee-translations.com. YHA Manchester, Potato Wharf, M3 4NB. May TD AGM & TALK ON 'TRANSLATING CRIME FICTION' Saturday 11 May Museum of London, TD 2-4.30pm AGM papers will be emailed to Translating Division members. With a short talk by Dr Karen Seago, Director of the MA Translating Popular Culture at City University. THE SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT OF NW THE YEAR Saturday 11 May Kro Piccadilly, Manchester, 3-6pm Let your linguistic talent shine and get to know your colleagues in the NW area. The highest scorer in each team gets a prize. £5 for the buffet. Book by 3 May: katrin.hiietam@ ee-translations.com. Kro Piccadilly, 1 Piccadilly Gardens, M1 1RG. BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM TRIP BPG Saturday 18 May Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Reconstructed workshops, houses and a mine give an impression of life in the industrial age at this openair museum and real ale pub. For details, email ridgway@talktalk.net. www.iol.org.uk

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