عنوان

Towards a theory of Arab-English translation, with special reference to the role of Arab translators as transmitters of civilization

Number

TLets304451

Title Proper

Towards a theory of Arab-English translation, with special reference to the role of Arab translators as transmitters of civilization

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Khulusi, Sada

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Exeter

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

1991

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Thesis (Ph.D.)

Text preceding or following the note

1991

Text of Note

The present work is intended to offer a uniquely comprehensive, analytical study of Arabic translation from Pre-Islamic times right through to the 14th/19th Century revival movement, culminating in an attempt to formulate a hitherto non-existent Theory of Arabic-English Translation. This endeavour is further enhanced and complemented by a detailed study of the genesis of Arabic and English comparative literature in translation, through a thorough examination of various translations of a selection of Shakespearian Plays into Arabic, along with those of the Arabic literary classic Kalilah wa Dimnah into English. Throughout this thesis, particular attention has been paid to the vital role of the Arab translators as transmitters of civilization, through the vehicle of translation. This is a role which, although very widely acknowledged, has not, thus far, been studied adequately. The quest commences with Chapter I, which deals with the onset of translation during the Pre-Islamic, Umayyad and Abbasid Periods. Chapter II concentrates on the various Arab motives for translating foreign sciences and the recycling of translation from Arabic into Latin, highlighting the role of Qustantin al-Ifriqi, (Constantinus Africanus), which was vital to the overall success of this enterprise. Chapter III deals with the eventual decline of the Arab translation movement and its subsequent revival in the 14th/19th Century, which was greatly influenced by Rifd'ah al-Tahtdwi, whose role is closely examined in this Chapter. Chapter IV focuses on one of the most important aspects of this thesis, the attempt to formulate a hitherto non-existent Theory of Arabic-English Translation. The Fifth and final Chapter, is devoted to examining the genesis of Arabic and English comparative literature in translation. Various Arabic translations of Shakespearian Plays, including the translation of selected sections of Julius Caesar, by the author of this thesis, have been used, in addition to the use of translations of Kalilah wa Dimnah, to further illustrate the aim of this Chapter. An attempt is made in Chapter V to apply the Theory of Arabic-English Translation, formulated in Chapter IV, to the translations used as case studies of Arabic and English comparative literature in the final Chapter, which serves as the conclusion to this thesis. It is hoped that the framework established in this thesis for a functional Theory of Arabic-English Translation, will form the basis for future, more expansive, studies and researches.

Linguistics; History

Khulusi, Sada

University of Exeter

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y