JEDDAH: The Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission recently hosted a virtual event titled “Medical Translation Professions” during which experts touched on the historical contributions of early Arab scholars in the field of medical and scientific translation.
The meeting opened with an insightful retrospective on Arab endeavors, especially during the Umayyad era, in translating medical and scientific texts.
Aisha bint Salem Al-Ateeq, an assistant professor specializing in Arabic literature at Taibah University, spoke to Arab News about the significance of the event.
“Such meetings serve as a means to … encourage emerging translators to engage in this specific field,” she said.
The event, she added, also acknowledged “the vital role played by ancient Arab scholars in the realm of medical translation and science,” their efforts ultimately impacting the global dissemination of medical knowledge.
The meeting covered topics including Arabization, or the direct adoption of foreign terms without modification during the translation process; objective and neutral language in science; and the importance of a standardized and universally understood language, particularly within medical teams where individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds may collaborate, ensuring seamless communication between medical professionals and patients and ultimately facilitating optimal healthcare delivery.
It also saw a discussion on the essential skills required for a medical translator, as well as pandemic protocols relevant to various geographical areas and worldwide contexts.
Al-Ateeq expressed her gratitude to the commission for organizing the gathering, which came as part of an ongoing series of open meetings aimed at promoting continuous engagement with the literary, translation, and publishing communities in the Kingdom.
