Translating Arabic - a podcast by Free Word

The panel assesses the cultural impact made by the literature of the vast, Arab-speaking region with its multiple countries and histories, on a global English-language readership that has become increasingly ready to engage with literature in translation. Which works are translated into English and to what extent do they challenge or perpetuate stereotypes? Does ‘the Arab world’ as conveyed through the books we see published give us the whole picture - or are there many other works in Arabic which deserve to be translated? Which authors and narratives are privileged over others, and which ones get left out? How do titles make their way into the English-language market, who are the gatekeepers who decide what is translated, why and when?

Panel: Ali Bader (author and publishing editor), Alice Guthrie (translator, producer of Shubbak festival’s
literary programme), Marcia Lynx Qualey (ArabLit blog), Wen-Chin Ouyang (academic, SOAS)
Chair: Bidisha (writer, journalist, broadcaster)

With support from The Arab British Centre

Further episodes of Free Word

Further podcasts by Free Word

Website of Free Word