Translation Workshop

Introduction:

Translation requires professional skills, creative abilities, and mastery of the language-pair (translated from and into). Therefore, translators must develop their cognitive competencies and skills in dealing with texts through training, learning, and practical experience.

The Dubai International Program for Writing (DIPW) concentrates on qualifying translators from and to Arabic and developing their basic skills in this field, which include improving the following skills:

1. Writing Skills:

Through conveying texts from one language to another, translation is undoubtedly one of the most essential channels for sharing and circulating knowledge among people. This task cannot be accomplished by an ordinary person, even if they are proficient in both languages. Rather, it must be done by a writer who has the ability to express and describe in addition to imagination. That is why DIPW aims to qualify the "transwriter," who is able to convey ideas and groom them to be suitable for the Arab reader.

Hence, and because it is a program that mainly deals with writers and the writing industry, DIPW’s uniqueness over other translation workshops in the world stems from the fact that it qualifies the translator in both translation and creative writing.

2. Skills for Utilizing Translation Tools:

The translation workshop focuses on qualifying translators to deal with translation tools that help them search for information and access its origins through dictionaries and glossaries. Therefore, the translator must be able to deal effectively with terms, names, words, and abbreviations circulated in local communities. In addition to the skills of utilizing tools, translators must be able to search databases and various search engines to reach the most accurate information related to the text and its surrounding cultural, societal, and economic connotations.

3. Utilizing Technologies:

DIPW is also concerned with qualifying translators to deal with text-editing tools, spelling and language-checking programs, and multimedia production tools such as images and graphics that help them deal with texts and translate them well.

4. Accuracy and Eye for Details:

Translation is not just a profession; rather, it is a sublime message that helps cultures and civilizations communicate. That is why it requires a great deal of accuracy in dealing with texts and an eye for details to preserve the meaning and adapt it to the local environment. Poor translation of terms and failure to employ them in their correct framework may lead to the text losing its meaning. Thus, DIPW targets qualifying the translator to be accurate in comprehending details with great care and attention.

5. Project Management:

To translate any text (project), a precise plan must be drawn up for its completion in terms of requirements, rights management, schedule, deadlines, and cost. In this regard, DIPW is concerned with qualifying translators to manage large translation projects and how to deal with them.

6. Publication:

DIPW is not limited to qualifying translators for translation work and managing translation projects; it also enables them to reach the ultimate goal of any creative work, which is to publish it through a distinguished publishing house and to get acquainted with the publishing and distribution market and its requirements.

Program Description:

The translation workshop seeks to qualify the Arabic translator to practice written translation in its various scientific, cognitive, literary, and intellectual aspects. The practice process takes place through working with models and simulations of text transfers from one language to another under the supervision of an experienced and capable trainer.

In order to qualify translators remarkably, an integrated program is prepared in which translators can study and practice directly in groups and mini-workshops, where they learn, practice, and discuss the basic skills of translation for a period ranging from three to four months.

Training Objectives:

• Providing translators with translation skills from one language to another, especially from and to Arabic.
• Familiarize translators with the skills of dealing with texts and the stylistic characteristics of various texts.
• Developing the translators’ abilities to deal with text editing and processing tools.
• Equipping translators to deal with the project and publishing markets.
• Enhancing translators’ technological capabilities in search engines and databases to deal with texts.

Community Objectives:

• Contributing to creating a base of qualified translators.
• Supplying the Arabic library with useful books that have not been translated before.
• Encouraging young translators to take a path that serves the community in general.

Training Mechanism:

• The workshop trainer selects talented young people after reviewing samples of their translations.
• The trainer chooses a model or a book for the translator to translate during the workshop.
• The trainer supervises the translation of each text, reviews it, and compares it with the original.
• The trainer polishes the skills of each translator through instructions and modifications.
• The translator works on a medium-sized book or chapters of a large book during the workshop.

Workshop Duration:

1. The duration of the workshop ranges from three to four months. Each month is divided into a week of onsite attendance, and the remaining weeks are dedicated to remote (online) training.
2. The training hours range from three to four hours, including theoretical and practical parts.
3. The days of the workshop are divided into theoretical and practical aspects.

Workshop Outcomes:

1. At the end of the workshop, each trainee will produce a translated book (a training model).
2. The trainer selects good translations and nominates them for publication.
3. Launching sessions for the translation workshop’s products are organized at book fairs and other events.