Translation Unit

At King Khalid University, the Dean of the College of Languages & Translation recently acknowledged the achievements of five students from the Master's Program in Translation Studies. These students earned recognition for their exceptional contributions to the poetry translation challenge, a key feature of the 3rd Translation Forum held in Riyadh on November 3rd and 4th, 2023. Organized by the Literature, Publishing Translation Commission of Saudi Arabia, this prestigious event convened translators and scholars from around the world, promoting a vibrant dialogue across cultures. The five students dedicated themselves relentlessly to the poetry translation challenge, investing numerous hours in the meticulous study of both ancient and contemporary poetry. Their profound commitment and enthusiasm for linguistic artistry were evident in their collaborative translation of a poem by Ghazi Abdul Rahman Al Gosaibi. Their work not only demonstrated exceptional skill but also creativity, leaving a lasting impression on the judges. Dr. Ahmad, in a meeting with the MA students, delved into their experiences at the forum. The students recounted interactions with celebrated translators from various countries, their participation in intellectually stimulating panels and workshops, and the opportunity to network with peers in their profession. The Dean expressed great delight upon hearing about their journey, remarking, “This forum has been a pivotal moment in their academic journey. Their engagement in such an event will undoubtedly propel their enthusiasm and passion into their future professional endeavors.” Dr. Eisa Asiri, the Head of the Translation Department, extended his congratulations to the students for their exceptional participation. He emphasized the complexity of translation, stating, "Translation transcends mere word-to-word conversion; it involves capturing the original text's essence and emotion. To excel in this art form, especially in translating poetry between Arabic and English, translators must refine their skills and immerse themselves in diverse cultures." Dr. Ahmad formally presented awards to each of the promising young translators, recognizing their potential in shaping the future of their field and their excellent representation of the College of Languages & Translation. These students not only showcased their skills but also brought honor to their institution. The following are reflections from the awardees on their experiences and achievements: Reem Mohammed Albariqi: "Our contributions have always been appreciated by our CLT. Working with this creative team was a great honor, and I extend my gratitude to the Dean and the Head of the Department for their continuous support." Eshraq AbdullAziz Al-qahtani shared her appreciation, noting, "I am grateful to this incredible team for trusting me to design and participate in this video. I also thank the Dean and the Head of the Department for their unlimited support." Reem Mesfer Alshahrani reflected on the support received, stating, "The generous support from our CLT was a significant milestone in our journey in translation. We appreciate and thank the Dean and the Head of the Department for their endless encouragement." Atheer Alqahtani conveyed her honor in being part of the team, stating, "I am honored to be part of this magnificent team, who endeavored to deliver this part of the poem with the same aesthetics as in Arabic. Additionally, I’m grateful to our college for their continuous support and encouragement, not only in this contest but in all other areas as well." Date: 1/4/2024 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

At King Khalid University, the Dean of the College of Languages & Translation recently acknowledged the achievements of five students from the Master's Program in Translation Studies. These students earned recognition for their exceptional contributions to the poetry translation challenge, a key feature of the 3rd Translation Forum held in Riyadh on November 3rd and 4th, 2023. Organized by the Literature, Publishing Translation Commission of Saudi Arabia, this prestigious event convened translators and scholars from around the world, promoting a vibrant dialogue across cultures. The five students dedicated themselves relentlessly to the poetry translation challenge, investing numerous hours in the meticulous study of both ancient and contemporary poetry. Their profound commitment and enthusiasm for linguistic artistry were evident in their collaborative translation of a poem by Ghazi Abdul Rahman Al Gosaibi. Their work not only demonstrated exceptional skill but also creativity, leaving a lasting impression on the judges. Dr. Ahmad, in a meeting with the MA students, delved into their experiences at the forum. The students recounted interactions with celebrated translators from various countries, their participation in intellectually stimulating panels and workshops, and the opportunity to network with peers in their profession. The Dean expressed great delight upon hearing about their journey, remarking, “This forum has been a pivotal moment in their academic journey. Their engagement in such an event will undoubtedly propel their enthusiasm and passion into their future professional endeavors.” Dr. Eisa Asiri, the Head of the Translation Department, extended his congratulations to the students for their exceptional participation. He emphasized the complexity of translation, stating, "Translation transcends mere word-to-word conversion; it involves capturing the original text's essence and emotion. To excel in this art form, especially in translating poetry between Arabic and English, translators must refine their skills and immerse themselves in diverse cultures." Dr. Ahmad formally presented awards to each of the promising young translators, recognizing their potential in shaping the future of their field and their excellent representation of the College of Languages & Translation. These students not only showcased their skills but also brought honor to their institution. The following are reflections from the awardees on their experiences and achievements: Reem Mohammed Albariqi: "Our contributions have always been appreciated by our CLT. Working with this creative team was a great honor, and I extend my gratitude to the Dean and the Head of the Department for their continuous support." Eshraq AbdullAziz Al-qahtani shared her appreciation, noting, "I am grateful to this incredible team for trusting me to design and participate in this video. I also thank the Dean and the Head of the Department for their unlimited support." Reem Mesfer Alshahrani reflected on the support received, stating, "The generous support from our CLT was a significant milestone in our journey in translation. We appreciate and thank the Dean and the Head of the Department for their endless encouragement." Atheer Alqahtani conveyed her honor in being part of the team, stating, "I am honored to be part of this magnificent team, who endeavored to deliver this part of the poem with the same aesthetics as in Arabic. Additionally, I’m grateful to our college for their continuous support and encouragement, not only in this contest but in all other areas as well." Date: 1/4/2024 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

On December 4, 2023, the Translation Unit within the Faculty of Languages & Translation held a workshop entitled "Using Corpora in Translation Studies." The session, led by Dr. Ibrahim Alasmri, Assistant Professor of Translation Studies and Vice Dean of Educational Affairs & Development at the Faculty, was designed to enlighten participants on the application of corpora in translation studies. Additionally, it offered practical insights into conducting corpus-based research in translation, marking a significant step in advancing academic inquiry in this field. The session commenced with Dr. Alasmri elucidating the concepts of "Corpora," "Corpus Linguistics," and "Empiricism." He explained that corpora consist of extensive, systematically organized text collections pivotal for linguistic analysis and research. Furthermore, he elaborated on "Corpus Linguistics" as a linguistic study based on these corpora, underlining its reliance on empirical evidence and a data-driven analytical approach. Dr. Alasmri defined Translation Studies as an interdisciplinary domain integrating linguistic, cultural, and cognitive aspects. This definition aligns with the comprehensive scope of translation research, encompassing not just linguistic analysis, but also cultural and cognitive elements. He emphasized the importance of Corpus-based Translation Studies (CBTS), spotlighting the use of empirical data to unravel insights into translation processes and strategies. This approach, as Dr. Alasmri illustrated, underscores the critical role of evidence-based analysis in both comprehending and enhancing translation practices. The workshop delved deeply into practical aspects of Corpus-Based Translation Studies (CBTS). It outlined crucial steps including selecting appropriate corpora, formulating research questions, data collection and analysis, results interpretation, and the use of specialized corpus tools and software in translation research. This session offered participants hands-on methodologies and essential tools for effective corpus-based investigation in translation studies. Besides the key topics, the workshop explored the domain of corpus linguistics, which entails analyzing linguistic data using extensive text collections, known as corpora. This part of the session underscored the reliance on computer software and statistical methods to discover linguistic patterns and extract information from texts. Dr. Alasmri further introduced the concept of empiricism in linguistics. He stressed the value of empirical evidence and observations gleaned from real-world data for making informed conclusions about language functionality. The workshop comprehensively addressed the application of corpora across multiple disciplines. This included linguistic analysis, language variation and change, lexicography, pragmatics and discourse analysis, language teaching and learning, stylistics and literary analysis, translation studies, computational linguistics and natural language processing, forensic linguistics, and social and cultural studies. In addition, the session briefly explored significant historical shifts in Translation Studies, notably the linguistic turn influenced by structural linguistics, providing a broader context for understanding the evolution and current trends in the field. In summary, the workshop offered substantial insights into utilizing corpora within the realm of translation studies. It equipped participants with practical knowledge and methodologies essential for conducting corpus-based translation research, thereby enhancing their understanding and skills in this specialized field. The workshop proved to be a resounding success, attracting a diverse and engaged audience comprising researchers, students, and translators from a variety of backgrounds. The active participation and the depth of thought-provoking questions posed at the workshop's conclusion highlighted the importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary dialogue in Translation Studies. This event went beyond mere knowledge dissemination; it fostered a sense of community and a shared enthusiasm for ongoing exploration and research in the field. Furthermore, the workshop's influence transcended the confines of the immediate presentations and discussions. It served as a vital platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and sparking inspiration for future research initiatives. For those interested in delving deeper into the discussions and presentations of the workshop, a recording is available on YouTube. To view this webinar, please click here. Date: 12/4/2023 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

On December 4, 2023, the Translation Unit within the Faculty of Languages & Translation held a workshop entitled "Using Corpora in Translation Studies." The session, led by Dr. Ibrahim Alasmri, Assistant Professor of Translation Studies and Vice Dean of Educational Affairs & Development at the Faculty, was designed to enlighten participants on the application of corpora in translation studies. Additionally, it offered practical insights into conducting corpus-based research in translation, marking a significant step in advancing academic inquiry in this field. The session commenced with Dr. Alasmri elucidating the concepts of "Corpora," "Corpus Linguistics," and "Empiricism." He explained that corpora consist of extensive, systematically organized text collections pivotal for linguistic analysis and research. Furthermore, he elaborated on "Corpus Linguistics" as a linguistic study based on these corpora, underlining its reliance on empirical evidence and a data-driven analytical approach. Dr. Alasmri defined Translation Studies as an interdisciplinary domain integrating linguistic, cultural, and cognitive aspects. This definition aligns with the comprehensive scope of translation research, encompassing not just linguistic analysis, but also cultural and cognitive elements. He emphasized the importance of Corpus-based Translation Studies (CBTS), spotlighting the use of empirical data to unravel insights into translation processes and strategies. This approach, as Dr. Alasmri illustrated, underscores the critical role of evidence-based analysis in both comprehending and enhancing translation practices. The workshop delved deeply into practical aspects of Corpus-Based Translation Studies (CBTS). It outlined crucial steps including selecting appropriate corpora, formulating research questions, data collection and analysis, results interpretation, and the use of specialized corpus tools and software in translation research. This session offered participants hands-on methodologies and essential tools for effective corpus-based investigation in translation studies. Besides the key topics, the workshop explored the domain of corpus linguistics, which entails analyzing linguistic data using extensive text collections, known as corpora. This part of the session underscored the reliance on computer software and statistical methods to discover linguistic patterns and extract information from texts. Dr. Alasmri further introduced the concept of empiricism in linguistics. He stressed the value of empirical evidence and observations gleaned from real-world data for making informed conclusions about language functionality. The workshop comprehensively addressed the application of corpora across multiple disciplines. This included linguistic analysis, language variation and change, lexicography, pragmatics and discourse analysis, language teaching and learning, stylistics and literary analysis, translation studies, computational linguistics and natural language processing, forensic linguistics, and social and cultural studies. In addition, the session briefly explored significant historical shifts in Translation Studies, notably the linguistic turn influenced by structural linguistics, providing a broader context for understanding the evolution and current trends in the field. In summary, the workshop offered substantial insights into utilizing corpora within the realm of translation studies. It equipped participants with practical knowledge and methodologies essential for conducting corpus-based translation research, thereby enhancing their understanding and skills in this specialized field. The workshop proved to be a resounding success, attracting a diverse and engaged audience comprising researchers, students, and translators from a variety of backgrounds. The active participation and the depth of thought-provoking questions posed at the workshop's conclusion highlighted the importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary dialogue in Translation Studies. This event went beyond mere knowledge dissemination; it fostered a sense of community and a shared enthusiasm for ongoing exploration and research in the field. Furthermore, the workshop's influence transcended the confines of the immediate presentations and discussions. It served as a vital platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and sparking inspiration for future research initiatives. For those interested in delving deeper into the discussions and presentations of the workshop, a recording is available on YouTube. To view this webinar, please click here. Date: 12/4/2023 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  On 17 May 2022, the Translation Unit invited Mr. Ahmad Assiri, a Ph.D. candidate in Translation Studies at Macquarie University, to deliver a special translation webinar available to all King Khalid University students. The webinar, entitled "Translation in a Clear & Correct Arabic Language", stressed key aspects of the Arabic Language that translators/interpreters should consider in order to produce a clear Arabic translation/interpretation when conveying English texts to Arabic, including stylistic, grammatic, orthographic aspects. The webinar also highlighted a number of issues that help translators post-edit their work.   "It was a pleasure speaking to KKU’s students during this amazing webinar organized by the Translation Unit. The number of attendees, as well as their interactive engagement with the content, reflects an outstanding understanding of the key concepts presented," said Mr. Ahmad Assiri.   Of noteworthy mention, attendance at the webinar was high, with nearly 100 participants actively participating in practical training exercises related to the aspects discussed throughout the session. Thank you to everyone who participated live. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of the webinar here: https://youtu.be/AVOH20MhNdA Date: 5/20/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  On 17 May 2022, the Translation Unit invited Mr. Ahmad Assiri, a Ph.D. candidate in Translation Studies at Macquarie University, to deliver a special translation webinar available to all King Khalid University students. The webinar, entitled "Translation in a Clear & Correct Arabic Language", stressed key aspects of the Arabic Language that translators/interpreters should consider in order to produce a clear Arabic translation/interpretation when conveying English texts to Arabic, including stylistic, grammatic, orthographic aspects. The webinar also highlighted a number of issues that help translators post-edit their work.   "It was a pleasure speaking to KKU’s students during this amazing webinar organized by the Translation Unit. The number of attendees, as well as their interactive engagement with the content, reflects an outstanding understanding of the key concepts presented," said Mr. Ahmad Assiri.   Of noteworthy mention, attendance at the webinar was high, with nearly 100 participants actively participating in practical training exercises related to the aspects discussed throughout the session. Thank you to everyone who participated live. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of the webinar here: https://youtu.be/AVOH20MhNdA Date: 5/20/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  On 22 March 2022, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and Translation Unit Director, Dr. Eisa Asiri, interviewed with Al Ekhbariya, an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel based in Riyadh. Dean Al-Melhi began his interview by introducing how the Faculty of Languages and Translation (FLT) was established, the academic roles of the FLT, our recently achieved full accreditation status in the Bachelor of Arts in English program, and the community roles of the FLT, including partnerships with several government & private institutions. He then pivoted to recent developments on the horizon, mentioning the new era of the Chinese language in Saudi Arabia and how the FLT responded to the call by establishing the Department of Modern Languages.   Dr. Eisa Asiri was interviewed shortly after, echoing Dean Al-Melhi’s main points. He mentioned the newly established Translation Unit (TU) at the university level and how TU aims to allow FLT students and students in all colleges to take the absolute full advantage of the several short-term and long-term programs. He highlighted that by translating research outputs and materials from Arabic into other languages, the local community of Asir is served, creating a spirit of community partnership and preparing qualified personnel to meet the needs of the region.   To view footage of the interview, please visit https://flt.page.link/Al-Ekhbariya. Date: 4/1/2022 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation

  On 22 March 2022, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and Translation Unit Director, Dr. Eisa Asiri, interviewed with Al Ekhbariya, an Arabic news and current affairs satellite TV channel based in Riyadh. Dean Al-Melhi began his interview by introducing how the Faculty of Languages and Translation (FLT) was established, the academic roles of the FLT, our recently achieved full accreditation status in the Bachelor of Arts in English program, and the community roles of the FLT, including partnerships with several government & private institutions. He then pivoted to recent developments on the horizon, mentioning the new era of the Chinese language in Saudi Arabia and how the FLT responded to the call by establishing the Department of Modern Languages.   Dr. Eisa Asiri was interviewed shortly after, echoing Dean Al-Melhi’s main points. He mentioned the newly established Translation Unit (TU) at the university level and how TU aims to allow FLT students and students in all colleges to take the absolute full advantage of the several short-term and long-term programs. He highlighted that by translating research outputs and materials from Arabic into other languages, the local community of Asir is served, creating a spirit of community partnership and preparing qualified personnel to meet the needs of the region.   To view footage of the interview, please visit https://flt.page.link/Al-Ekhbariya. Date: 4/1/2022 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

  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