Riyadh:The UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures has announced the publication of the Arabic translation of "The Cultural Turn in Translation Studies," a seminal work by Chinese scholar Wang Ning. This project, backed by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, was published by Dar Al-Faisal at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, marking a collaboration with the UNESCO Chair.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the translation was completed by Dr. Nagah Abdullatif and offers a comprehensive examination of how translation has evolved into a cultural exercise that transcends mere linguistic exchange. The book traces this shift back to the 1990s, with contributions from researchers like Susan Bassnett and Andr© Lefevere, who established the 'Cultural Turn' in translation studies.
The work argues that globalization has enhanced the importance of translation as a means to preserve cultural diversity, even as English dominates global discourse. It highlights the contributions of researchers such as Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, and Gayatri Spivak in integrating cultural debates within translation studies.
Additionally, Ning discusses how translation was crucial in shaping modern Chinese literature by introducing Western intellectual trends, which helped forge a new cultural discourse in China. Dr. Moneera Al-Ghadeer, Head of the UNESCO Chair, noted in her introduction that the book provides Arab readers with a cultural perspective on translation, aligning with the chair's mission to foster East-West dialogue.
This translation is part of the 'Beyond the River and Across the Seven Seas: Translating Sino-Arab Cultural Encounters' initiative and supports strategic cultural partnerships, including a memorandum of understanding between the King Faisal Center and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This effort aligns with the objectives of the 'Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025,' underscoring the increasing relevance of the Chinese language in Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape.