King Khalid University

  Ms. Anjum Mishu conducted a presentation titled "Language of the Professionals: How to Write Academic English (International Tests, Research Papers or Journals)" at a webinar organized by the female Alumni Unit on 23 March 2022. She highlighted the problem faced by students when they want to take competency tests and write research papers as a part of MA and Ph.D. programs. She stressed the fact that students find it challenging to jump from the casual day-to-day style to the very high standard expected of them at the tertiary level.   Ms. Anjum offered a solution to this problem by showing them that through the application of strategies at the syntax level, they can transform simple and plain sentences into formal and academic ones. Attitude adverbials, fronting, cleft sentences, quantifying differences, generalizing and distancing, referencing, etc., are to name a few of the strategies.   The presenter also emphasized that academic tone can be improved through the proper use of affixes at the lexical level. She added charts of useful affixes so that they could come in handy for the students. Date: 3/25/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  The Language Research Center organized a webinar on March 23, 2022, that included a presentation titled "Analyzing the Efficacy of the Teaching Approaches Implemented by the Literature Teachers for EFL Students: Undergraduate Learners' Perspective", which was delivered by Dr. Najmus Sarifa and Ms. Rakhshinda Jabeen.   Sarifa and Jabeen spoke about different approaches to teaching literature, highlighting the fact that we should never ignore the significance of the extent to which learners learn when a particular teaching method or a technique is implemented in class. In other words, the researchers emphasized the learning methods rather than the teaching ones. The study explored the effectiveness of certain teaching approaches employed by teachers in a literature classroom.   Literature, the researchers added, is beyond what is commonly believed. This is even beyond learning about "people, culture, ethics, behaviours and other social norms" (Mustakim, Mustapha & Lebar 2018). Literature courses, they said, are indispensable for enhancing the learning scope of the language. A variety of characters with certain literary diction takes language learning to another level.   The researchers highlighted the fact that technology and innovation have given rise to a dramatic change in learning skills. They pointed up the inclusion of a profound range of literary works in the course curriculum. The dual benefit of including literature in the curriculum at the tertiary level, they said, is the fact that the students can develop an insight into the culture and characters of the English society and increase their imaginative power.   Sarifa and Jabeen explained in detail certain approaches to teaching literature such as teacher-centered approach, stylistic approach, learner-centered approach, paraphrastic approach, and culture-based approach by comparing them.   The speakers concluded that literature teachers need to be creative and trained enough to choose a teaching method that provides maximum benefits to the learners.   The webinar was very informative and a great success. Date: 3/25/2022 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique

  The Translation Unit (TU) organized a translation competition titled "Translator of the Nation", coinciding with the faculty's celebration of Saudi Arabia's 'Founding Day' on Tuesday, 22 February 2022. Participants were involved in translating several journalistic texts about this national and remarkable occasion. This competition was received warmly by our MA and BA students on several campuses, thus raising awareness about this occasion and reinforcing the role of TU in transferring local and authentic admirable events through translation from Arabic into English. The improvement of students' translator skills was a goal that TU has sought to achieve from this competition. TU received more than 50 texts from our students.   Some winners expressed their views regarding this competition.   "Being a part of the competition — 'the Translator of the Nation' — was an honor because it was the least that we could do to give back to our country. In addition, I would like to thank the Translation Unit for this wonderful opportunity to translate to enable people to learn more about this cherished event, Founding Day," said Abdulaziz Alalawi.   Abeer Alasmari highlighted that the "Torjoman Al-Watan Competition was an initiative that truly ignited our patriotic sentiment and rekindled that spark of passion inside all of us translators. It's an admirable gesture of the Translation Unit at the Faculty of Languages and Translation at KKU, to which we all are deeply appreciative."   "Participating in such a multi-purpose competition designed to accomplish national educational goals was a really wonderful thing. It isn't winning or losing that matters since success is measured by what we've done to prepare for the competition, and the fruits we've reaped were absolutely inspiring & uplifting," said Jamilah Shah.   Asma Hassan emphasized the importance of this competition in boosting students' skills in translation by saying, "The competition was like a test for my abilities in translation. It also motivated me to practice translation more and more with confidence."   "University life is experiences, and this competition is a beneficial experience that hones our performance in translation. Indeed, it’s closer to motivation than to competition," said Waad Al-Manea.   TU would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to all participants in the translation competition titled "The Translator of the Nation." TU is pleased to announce the winners as follows: 1st place (500 SR): Abdulaziz Alalawi/MA Translation 2nd place (400 SR): Abeer Alasmari/MA Translation 3rd place (300 SR): Jamilah Sanagul/MA Translation 4th place (200 SR): Waad Al-Manea/MA Translation 5th place (shared) (100 SR each): Nujud Aseeri & Asma Alfuraih/both MA Translation   The award ceremony took place in a wonderful event organized by the Guidance and Counselling Unit and English Club at the Faculty of Languages and Translation on Tuesday, 22 March 2022. The winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates of appreciation. As a token of appreciation, all participants were awarded certificates of appreciation, thus motivating them to develop their talents & skills in translation.   Our heartfelt congratulations to the winners and participants on their outstanding achievements. Date: 3/24/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  The Translation Unit (TU) organized a translation competition titled "Translator of the Nation", coinciding with the faculty's celebration of Saudi Arabia's 'Founding Day' on Tuesday, 22 February 2022. Participants were involved in translating several journalistic texts about this national and remarkable occasion. This competition was received warmly by our MA and BA students on several campuses, thus raising awareness about this occasion and reinforcing the role of TU in transferring local and authentic admirable events through translation from Arabic into English. The improvement of students' translator skills was a goal that TU has sought to achieve from this competition. TU received more than 50 texts from our students.   Some winners expressed their views regarding this competition.   "Being a part of the competition — 'the Translator of the Nation' — was an honor because it was the least that we could do to give back to our country. In addition, I would like to thank the Translation Unit for this wonderful opportunity to translate to enable people to learn more about this cherished event, Founding Day," said Abdulaziz Alalawi.   Abeer Alasmari highlighted that the "Torjoman Al-Watan Competition was an initiative that truly ignited our patriotic sentiment and rekindled that spark of passion inside all of us translators. It's an admirable gesture of the Translation Unit at the Faculty of Languages and Translation at KKU, to which we all are deeply appreciative."   "Participating in such a multi-purpose competition designed to accomplish national educational goals was a really wonderful thing. It isn't winning or losing that matters since success is measured by what we've done to prepare for the competition, and the fruits we've reaped were absolutely inspiring & uplifting," said Jamilah Shah.   Asma Hassan emphasized the importance of this competition in boosting students' skills in translation by saying, "The competition was like a test for my abilities in translation. It also motivated me to practice translation more and more with confidence."   "University life is experiences, and this competition is a beneficial experience that hones our performance in translation. Indeed, it’s closer to motivation than to competition," said Waad Al-Manea.   TU would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to all participants in the translation competition titled "The Translator of the Nation." TU is pleased to announce the winners as follows: 1st place (500 SR): Abdulaziz Alalawi/MA Translation 2nd place (400 SR): Abeer Alasmari/MA Translation 3rd place (300 SR): Jamilah Sanagul/MA Translation 4th place (200 SR): Waad Al-Manea/MA Translation 5th place (shared) (100 SR each): Nujud Aseeri & Asma Alfuraih/both MA Translation   The award ceremony took place in a wonderful event organized by the Guidance and Counselling Unit and English Club at the Faculty of Languages and Translation on Tuesday, 22 March 2022. The winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates of appreciation. As a token of appreciation, all participants were awarded certificates of appreciation, thus motivating them to develop their talents & skills in translation.   Our heartfelt congratulations to the winners and participants on their outstanding achievements. Date: 3/24/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  Ms. Anjum Mishu presented a paper titled "How to conduct a student-centered class?" at a webinar organized by the Training and Staff Member Development Unit of the Science & Arts College in Rijal Alma on 8 March 2022. She highlighted the concept, issues, strategies, and challenges regarding student-centered classrooms.   Ms. Anjum stressed that although numerous faculty members use student-centered learning/collaborative learning models, many instructors are concerned that giving up control in the classroom means compromising the educational experience. Empowering students, however, requires more of the instructor than just relinquishing the role of lecturer. In her presentation, she offered a set of frameworks to help faculty members create a semiautonomous classroom and, at the same time, protect against the loss of quality control.   She also added a lesson plan based on the student-centered classroom concept. Date: 3/20/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  Ms. Anjum Mishu presented a paper titled "How to conduct a student-centered class?" at a webinar organized by the Training and Staff Member Development Unit of the Science & Arts College in Rijal Alma on 8 March 2022. She highlighted the concept, issues, strategies, and challenges regarding student-centered classrooms.   Ms. Anjum stressed that although numerous faculty members use student-centered learning/collaborative learning models, many instructors are concerned that giving up control in the classroom means compromising the educational experience. Empowering students, however, requires more of the instructor than just relinquishing the role of lecturer. In her presentation, she offered a set of frameworks to help faculty members create a semiautonomous classroom and, at the same time, protect against the loss of quality control.   She also added a lesson plan based on the student-centered classroom concept. Date: 3/20/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

شارك فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة لكرة القدم في بطولة الاولمبياد الثامن على مستوى جامعة الملك خالد وكان ذلك في تاريخ ١٩-٧-١٤٤٣،ولعب اولى مبارياته امام كلية العلوم الطبية بأبها وانتهت بفوز نادي كلية اللغات والترجمة بنتيجة خمسة اهداف لصفر ليتاهل لدور السادس عشر  لهذه البطولة. وفي دوري السادس عشر  واجهت كلية اللغات والترجمة كلية الحاسب الآلي وتمكنت كلية اللغات والترجمة بالفوز مقابل اربعة اهداف لثلاثه ليتأهل الفريق الى دور الثامن . وفي دوري الثامن قابلت كلية اللغات والترجمة أشد منافسيها وهو بطل دوري  كرة قدم الصالات (كلية العلوم الانسانية )وتمكنت كلية اللغات والترجمة من تحقيق فوز صعب بنتيجة اثنان  مقابل واحد مما ليتأهل الفريق لدوري نصف النهائي. في دوري نصف النهائي خسرت كلية اللغات والترجمة بضربات الترجيح امام كلية العلوم والاداب بمحايل مما ادى لخروج فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة من المنافسة. وفي مباراة تحديد المركز الثالث لهذه البطولة، خسرت كلية اللغات والترجمة أمام كلية الهندسة،وهنا تنتهي رحلة ابطال فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة في هذه البطولة بانجاز المركز الرابع،واصبح فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة من اقوى أربع فرق على مستوى الجامعة في كرة القدم لهذه السنة وهو انجاز جيد قام به ابطال الكلية وبقيادة لاعبهم النجم ابراهيم المالكي وزملائه. Date: 3/10/2022 Source: Tamim Alqtherda, English Club Member 

شارك فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة لكرة القدم في بطولة الاولمبياد الثامن على مستوى جامعة الملك خالد وكان ذلك في تاريخ ١٩-٧-١٤٤٣،ولعب اولى مبارياته امام كلية العلوم الطبية بأبها وانتهت بفوز نادي كلية اللغات والترجمة بنتيجة خمسة اهداف لصفر ليتاهل لدور السادس عشر  لهذه البطولة. وفي دوري السادس عشر  واجهت كلية اللغات والترجمة كلية الحاسب الآلي وتمكنت كلية اللغات والترجمة بالفوز مقابل اربعة اهداف لثلاثه ليتأهل الفريق الى دور الثامن . وفي دوري الثامن قابلت كلية اللغات والترجمة أشد منافسيها وهو بطل دوري  كرة قدم الصالات (كلية العلوم الانسانية )وتمكنت كلية اللغات والترجمة من تحقيق فوز صعب بنتيجة اثنان  مقابل واحد مما ليتأهل الفريق لدوري نصف النهائي. في دوري نصف النهائي خسرت كلية اللغات والترجمة بضربات الترجيح امام كلية العلوم والاداب بمحايل مما ادى لخروج فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة من المنافسة. وفي مباراة تحديد المركز الثالث لهذه البطولة، خسرت كلية اللغات والترجمة أمام كلية الهندسة،وهنا تنتهي رحلة ابطال فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة في هذه البطولة بانجاز المركز الرابع،واصبح فريق كلية اللغات والترجمة من اقوى أربع فرق على مستوى الجامعة في كرة القدم لهذه السنة وهو انجاز جيد قام به ابطال الكلية وبقيادة لاعبهم النجم ابراهيم المالكي وزملائه. Date: 3/10/2022 Source: Tamim Alqtherda, English Club Member 

  On March 2, 2022, the Scientific Research Unit organized a virtual roundtable discussion about translation.   The discussion started by highlighting the significance of translation and translation studies as a field that deals with theory, description, and application of translation. The moderator of the discussion, Dr. Amal Metwally, introduced the field as an interlingual transfer and as intercultural communication. She further pointed out that translation studies can also be described as an interdiscipline, which touches on other diverse fields of knowledge, including cultural studies, comparative literature, linguistics, semiotics, rhetoric, technology in translation, and many other fields.   The moderator then introduced the speakers who are lecturers and promising researchers who achieved great success and accomplished their MA in translation in prominent universities during their scholarships.   Ms. Asma Alahmari, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, talked about her research in translation and her dissertation entitled "Comprehensive Text Analysis of the Arabic Translation of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho". She discussed the discipline of translation versus the professional practice of translation. Ms. Alahmari also referred to the significant methods to measure the quality of translation and raised a question about "the voice of the translator". She also highlighted some examples from her own experience as an MA student and researcher at the University of Birmingham from 2019 to 2020.   The second speaker is Ms. Raghad Alqahtani, a lecturer at the College of Science and Arts, Ahad Rufaidah. Ms. Alqahtani also got her MA in Translation Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2019 and 2020. Her MA thesis is entitled “An investigation into Translation Studies Curricula at Postgraduate Level in Terms of Students’ Needs Market Demand: The Case of Saudi Arabia’s KKU and KSU”. In her research, she examined the status of translator training in Saudi Arabia by choosing two translation postgraduate programs (i.e., KKU & KSU). She asserted that the results of her study showed that the two programs were compatible with some observations. The study indicated that the majority of the students expressed a level of satisfaction with the programs as a whole. She added that students’ satisfaction was coupled with some comments indicating that curricula developers must consider some improvements. When asked about translation and technology, she confirmed that according to her study, students’ responses to translation technologies express a severe weakness in its integration in translator training programs.   Then the discussion went to the third speaker, Ms. Rafif Najmi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, who got her MA in translation from the University of Leeds. In answering the question, "Why did you go for a project and not a dissertation?" Ms. Rafif indicated that it was one of "the toughest decisions", as she said. She clarified that many universities in the UK that have translation programs provide the options of either a dissertation or a translation project. She stated that she thought about focusing entirely on the project because it is more connected with the field of translation and as a future Ph.D. candidate. She needed to experience the practical side of translation before exploring its theoretical part. She also added that choosing a project won’t affect the Ph.D. approval. A lot of the students back then who went for the project are now Ph.D. students, and that didn’t stop them.   The interesting discussion guided the moderator to ask her about her project topic. Ms. Rafif Najmi indicated that her project involves a long annotated translation. She has to choose a book that has never been translated before and translate 8 to 10 words of the book. Her choice was "Master Your Emotions: The New 5-Step System to End Anxiety, Defuse Anger and Defeat Depression & Negative Thinking". She pointed out that after translation, an introduction that must involve an overview of the book, author and publisher, source text analysis, text genre, type, and function, register, the rationale (i.e., why have you chosen that book in particular), target readership, strategic approach, and a commentary should be written.   Ms. Najmi also referred to many challenges she faced while working on her project, including literary and psychological aspects of the source text genre, the issue of equivalence, religious and ideological backgrounds of TL readership, the cultural differences between cultures, and the view of the ST through the eyes of the TL readers. Another issue was the rendering of idiomatic expressions that are abundantly dispersed around books of this genre.   The discussion, which was mainly designed for translation students, was also attended by staff members who are interested in translation and translation studies. To view the speaker lineup, please click here.   The moderator of the discussion got positive feedback from many students on the roundtable discussion. Some of these views are included here:   "It was a wonderful discussion. It was a supportive discussion that helps us to continue our study in translation and take it as our aim. I think we need more discussions like this to take our plans and chance in a great way". – Khairiya Abdullah Ali   "Ms. Asma Alahmari, Ms. Rafif Najmi, and Ms. Raghad Alqahtani spoke about their experiences and their plans. They talked about some of the difficulties they faced and how they dealt with them. It was a good discussion and helps us so much". – Manar Ayied   "It was a very helpful discussion for us as students of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, and I hope it will be repeated many times with different members". – Shaima Abdullah   "It was such a great discussion which helped me understand more things about what I should do with my journey in translation after graduation. I really appreciate that such discussion took place and was very thankful for Dr. Asmaa, Dr. Rafif & Dr. Raghad’s answers, and Dr. Amal’s questions and lovely presenting. I would love to attend more of these discussions" – Rahaf Mukhtar Date: 3/10/2022 Source: Dr. Amal Mewally, Head of Scientific Research Unit - Women's Section

  On March 2, 2022, the Scientific Research Unit organized a virtual roundtable discussion about translation.   The discussion started by highlighting the significance of translation and translation studies as a field that deals with theory, description, and application of translation. The moderator of the discussion, Dr. Amal Metwally, introduced the field as an interlingual transfer and as intercultural communication. She further pointed out that translation studies can also be described as an interdiscipline, which touches on other diverse fields of knowledge, including cultural studies, comparative literature, linguistics, semiotics, rhetoric, technology in translation, and many other fields.   The moderator then introduced the speakers who are lecturers and promising researchers who achieved great success and accomplished their MA in translation in prominent universities during their scholarships.   Ms. Asma Alahmari, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, talked about her research in translation and her dissertation entitled "Comprehensive Text Analysis of the Arabic Translation of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho". She discussed the discipline of translation versus the professional practice of translation. Ms. Alahmari also referred to the significant methods to measure the quality of translation and raised a question about "the voice of the translator". She also highlighted some examples from her own experience as an MA student and researcher at the University of Birmingham from 2019 to 2020.   The second speaker is Ms. Raghad Alqahtani, a lecturer at the College of Science and Arts, Ahad Rufaidah. Ms. Alqahtani also got her MA in Translation Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2019 and 2020. Her MA thesis is entitled “An investigation into Translation Studies Curricula at Postgraduate Level in Terms of Students’ Needs Market Demand: The Case of Saudi Arabia’s KKU and KSU”. In her research, she examined the status of translator training in Saudi Arabia by choosing two translation postgraduate programs (i.e., KKU & KSU). She asserted that the results of her study showed that the two programs were compatible with some observations. The study indicated that the majority of the students expressed a level of satisfaction with the programs as a whole. She added that students’ satisfaction was coupled with some comments indicating that curricula developers must consider some improvements. When asked about translation and technology, she confirmed that according to her study, students’ responses to translation technologies express a severe weakness in its integration in translator training programs.   Then the discussion went to the third speaker, Ms. Rafif Najmi, a lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, who got her MA in translation from the University of Leeds. In answering the question, "Why did you go for a project and not a dissertation?" Ms. Rafif indicated that it was one of "the toughest decisions", as she said. She clarified that many universities in the UK that have translation programs provide the options of either a dissertation or a translation project. She stated that she thought about focusing entirely on the project because it is more connected with the field of translation and as a future Ph.D. candidate. She needed to experience the practical side of translation before exploring its theoretical part. She also added that choosing a project won’t affect the Ph.D. approval. A lot of the students back then who went for the project are now Ph.D. students, and that didn’t stop them.   The interesting discussion guided the moderator to ask her about her project topic. Ms. Rafif Najmi indicated that her project involves a long annotated translation. She has to choose a book that has never been translated before and translate 8 to 10 words of the book. Her choice was "Master Your Emotions: The New 5-Step System to End Anxiety, Defuse Anger and Defeat Depression & Negative Thinking". She pointed out that after translation, an introduction that must involve an overview of the book, author and publisher, source text analysis, text genre, type, and function, register, the rationale (i.e., why have you chosen that book in particular), target readership, strategic approach, and a commentary should be written.   Ms. Najmi also referred to many challenges she faced while working on her project, including literary and psychological aspects of the source text genre, the issue of equivalence, religious and ideological backgrounds of TL readership, the cultural differences between cultures, and the view of the ST through the eyes of the TL readers. Another issue was the rendering of idiomatic expressions that are abundantly dispersed around books of this genre.   The discussion, which was mainly designed for translation students, was also attended by staff members who are interested in translation and translation studies. To view the speaker lineup, please click here.   The moderator of the discussion got positive feedback from many students on the roundtable discussion. Some of these views are included here:   "It was a wonderful discussion. It was a supportive discussion that helps us to continue our study in translation and take it as our aim. I think we need more discussions like this to take our plans and chance in a great way". – Khairiya Abdullah Ali   "Ms. Asma Alahmari, Ms. Rafif Najmi, and Ms. Raghad Alqahtani spoke about their experiences and their plans. They talked about some of the difficulties they faced and how they dealt with them. It was a good discussion and helps us so much". – Manar Ayied   "It was a very helpful discussion for us as students of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, and I hope it will be repeated many times with different members". – Shaima Abdullah   "It was such a great discussion which helped me understand more things about what I should do with my journey in translation after graduation. I really appreciate that such discussion took place and was very thankful for Dr. Asmaa, Dr. Rafif & Dr. Raghad’s answers, and Dr. Amal’s questions and lovely presenting. I would love to attend more of these discussions" – Rahaf Mukhtar Date: 3/10/2022 Source: Dr. Amal Mewally, Head of Scientific Research Unit - Women's Section