A glance at the translation history in the Arab World

Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture. This is especially true for the Arab World, which has a rich and diverse history of translation that spans centuries and civilizations. In this blog post, I will give an overview of some of the major milestones and achievements of translation in the Arab World, focusing on the cultural and scientific renaissance that occurred during the Abbasid period.

The Arab World has a long and rich tradition of translation that dates back to the second century AD, when the Syrians translated works from Greek, Persian, and Indian sources into Arabic. These works covered various fields such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and literature. The Syrians also developed their own methods and techniques of translation, such as using footnotes, glossaries, and commentaries.

The Abbasid period (750-1258 AD) was a golden age of intellectual and artistic flourishing in the Islamic world. It was also a time when translation reached its peak, as many works from Greek, Persian, Indian, and other languages were translated into Arabic. The Abbasids were keen to acquire and preserve the knowledge of other cultures, and they established institutions such as the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, where scholars, translators, and scribes gathered to work on various texts. The Abbasids also supported and patronized translators, who were often bilingual or multilingual experts in different fields.

One of the most influential translators of this period was Abdullah ibn al-Muqaffa (d. 756 AD), who translated the Indian/Persian fable collection Kalila wa Dimna into Arabic. This work became a source of inspiration and entertainment for many generations of Arab readers and writers, as it contained moral lessons, political advice, and witty anecdotes. Ibn al-Muqaffa also translated other Persian texts, such as the Book of Kings (Shahnameh) and the Book of Crowns (Tajnameh), as well as some legal and administrative documents.

Another prominent translator was Hunain ibn Ishaq (d. 873 AD), who translated many scientific and medical texts from Greek into Arabic. He was especially proficient in translating the works of Galen, Hippocrates, Aristotle, and Plato. He also wrote original works on medicine, pharmacology, astronomy, and optics. Hunain ibn Ishaq was part of a school of translators known as the Baghdad School, which included his son Ishaq ibn Hunain, his nephew Hubaysh ibn al-Hasan, and his student Thabit ibn Qurra. They translated hundreds of texts on mathematics, physics, chemistry, astrology, geography, and philosophy.

And last but least important, is Al-Kindi (d. 873 AD), one of the most prominent philosophers in the Islamic world, was the first to introduce Aristotle's works on logic and metaphysics to the Arabic-speaking audience. He also wrote many original treatises on various topics, such as mathematics, astronomy, medicine and ethics. Al-Kindi's contributions to philosophy and science had a lasting impact on the development of Islamic civilization and beyond.

The translation movement of the Abbasid period had a profound impact on the development of Arabic language and literature. It enriched the vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and style of Arabic with new words, expressions, concepts, and genres. It also stimulated the creativity and curiosity of Arab scholars and writers, who produced original works on various subjects. Moreover, it facilitated the transmission and dissemination of knowledge across different regions and cultures.

Translation in the Arab World declined after the Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258 AD, which marked the end of the Abbasid caliphate and its cultural achievements. During the Ottoman era (1299-1922 AD), some Arabic texts were translated into Turkish, but there was little interest in translating foreign texts into Arabic. The Ottoman Empire was largely isolated from the rest of the world and did not participate in the Renaissance or the Enlightenment movements that swept Europe..

The revival of translation in the Arab World began in the 19th century, following the French invasion of Egypt in 1798. Napoleon brought with him a group of scholars who studied Egyptian antiquities and introduced modern sciences and arts to the Arabs. This sparked a renewed interest in translating from European languages, especially French, into Arabic, as well as reviving the classical heritage of the Arabs that had been neglected for centuries.

As you can see, the Arab World has a rich and diverse history of translation, which reflects its openness to other cultures and ideas. Translation has enabled the Arab World to interact with and learn from different civilizations, and to share its own achievements and wisdom. Translation is a form of dialogue that fosters understanding and cooperation among people.