Arab Organization for Translation
An Arab cultural project to restore the language of knowledge. The Arab Translation Organization is a non-governmental, independent, non-profit organization that was officially established on December 29, 1999 in Beirut, Lebanon, at a meeting that brought together a number of thinkers and specialists with the aim of launching a broad translation project that serves Arab culture and transcends local and regional borders. The organization does not operate as a traditional commercial publishing house, but rather as an institutional body that links Arab culture with the world through translation conditional on quality and knowledge. The idea came against the backdrop of a widespread belief among Arab intellectuals that translation is not just a linguistic transfer, but rather a means of renaissance to transform knowledge, spread scientific thought, and develop the Arabic language itself. Vision and methods: Translation that goes beyond literal transmission. According to the information recorded on the organization’s official website, the organization seeks to make its work a real addition to the field of translation in the Arab world, through: Adopting strict standards for translation that guarantee the scientificity of the translated material and its accurate linguistic understanding in both languages (origin and target). Building translation projects that are open to the widest spectrum of languages and cultures around the world. Taking into account the integration of knowledge between its historical and contemporary origins, thus enhancing its presence in the modern Arab context. Preferring scientific collective effort in translation instead of irregular individual translation. In this sense, the organization goes beyond the role of regular publishing houses that are limited to publishing books, to focus on the scientific and methodological quality in the translation industry, where translation is not just a linguistic work, but rather a cognitive and intellectual work. Publication and Knowledge Focus Through the available records, the organization issues a series of bibliographies and summary presentations of the translated editions, which shows its interest not only in translating books but also in documenting the translation process itself as a reference for the Arabic library. It also appears that among the organization’s publications there are also books and projects concerned with linguistic and cognitive research. Among them are books dealing with “linguistics and lexicography,” indicating the intertwining of translation with broader linguistic research interests. The organization’s position in the Arab scene. In the midst of the Arabic translation movement, which is witnessing a wide spread and diverse experiences among publishing houses, electronic platforms, and independent bodies, the Arab Organization for Translation stands out as an effective body on a comprehensive Arab level, seeking to reduce “scattered individual work” and increase “professional coordination” in the field of translation. The organization's president previously stated that one of the greatest challenges in this field is the lack of real coordination between the various parties involved in translation, which leads to the loss of a unified Arabic language or a unified lexical vision of translated knowledge. Challenges and Prospects Despite the existence of an Arab translation movement with multiple parties and efforts, the real challenges are still related to the quality of translation, coordination of work, and providing a greater margin for refining the skills of translators, which is what the organization is trying to approach through its scientific methodology and professional standards. Translation - in its Arabic context - is viewed as a bridge between cultures whose construction must be carefully managed, so that it does not turn into a fragile bridge without a clear normative reference. Conclusion: The Arab Organization for Translation embodies a modern knowledge project that goes beyond publishing books to organizing and developing the translation industry in the Arab world. Through its emphasis on scientific standards, collective effort, and openness to multiple cultures, the organization seeks to be a unified voice that transcends scattered translation work, and contributes systematically to the advancement of the library and knowledge of the Arabic language.
About the Publisher
Arab Organization for Translation
An Arab cultural project to restore the language of knowledge. The Arab Translation Organization is a non-governmental, independent, non-profit organization that was officially established on December 29, 1999 in Beirut, Lebanon, at a meeting that brought together a number of thinkers and specialists with the aim of launching a broad translation project that serves Arab culture and transcends local and regional borders. The organization does not operate as a traditional commercial publishing house, but rather as an institutional body that links Arab culture with the world through translation conditional on quality and knowledge. The idea came against the backdrop of a widespread belief among Arab intellectuals that translation is not just a linguistic transfer, but rather a means of renaissance to transform knowledge, spread scientific thought, and develop the Arabic language itself. Vision and methods: Translation that goes beyond literal transmission. According to the information recorded on the organization’s official website, the organization seeks to make its work a real addition to the field of translation in the Arab world, through: Adopting strict standards for translation that guarantee the scientificity of the translated material and its accurate linguistic understanding in both languages (origin and target). Building translation projects that are open to the widest spectrum of languages and cultures around the world. Taking into account the integration of knowledge between its historical and contemporary origins, thus enhancing its presence in the modern Arab context. Preferring scientific collective effort in translation instead of irregular individual translation. In this sense, the organization goes beyond the role of regular publishing houses that are limited to publishing books, to focus on the scientific and methodological quality in the translation industry, where translation is not just a linguistic work, but rather a cognitive and intellectual work. Publication and Knowledge Focus Through the available records, the organization issues a series of bibliographies and summary presentations of the translated editions, which shows its interest not only in translating books but also in documenting the translation process itself as a reference for the Arabic library. It also appears that among the organization’s publications there are also books and projects concerned with linguistic and cognitive research. Among them are books dealing with “linguistics and lexicography,” indicating the intertwining of translation with broader linguistic research interests. The organization’s position in the Arab scene. In the midst of the Arabic translation movement, which is witnessing a wide spread and diverse experiences among publishing houses, electronic platforms, and independent bodies, the Arab Organization for Translation stands out as an effective body on a comprehensive Arab level, seeking to reduce “scattered individual work” and increase “professional coordination” in the field of translation. The organization's president previously stated that one of the greatest challenges in this field is the lack of real coordination between the various parties involved in translation, which leads to the loss of a unified Arabic language or a unified lexical vision of translated knowledge. Challenges and Prospects Despite the existence of an Arab translation movement with multiple parties and efforts, the real challenges are still related to the quality of translation, coordination of work, and providing a greater margin for refining the skills of translators, which is what the organization is trying to approach through its scientific methodology and professional standards. Translation - in its Arabic context - is viewed as a bridge between cultures whose construction must be carefully managed, so that it does not turn into a fragile bridge without a clear normative reference. Conclusion: The Arab Organization for Translation embodies a modern knowledge project that goes beyond publishing books to organizing and developing the translation industry in the Arab world. Through its emphasis on scientific standards, collective effort, and openness to multiple cultures, the organization seeks to be a unified voice that transcends scattered translation work, and contributes systematically to the advancement of the library and knowledge of the Arabic language.
