Anthology of Arabic Discourse on Translation

Description

This anthology brings the key writings on translation in Arabic in the pre-modern era, extending from the earliest times (sixth century CE) until the end of World War I, to a global English-speaking audience. The texts are arranged chronologically and organized by two historical periods: the Classical Period, and the Nahda Period. Each text is preceded by an introduction about the selected text and author, placing the work in context, and discussing its significance. The texts are complemented with a theoretical commentary, discussing the significance for the contemporary period and modern theory. A general introduction covers the historical context, main trends, research interests, and main findings and conclusions. The two appendices provide statistical data of the corpus on which the anthology is based, more than 500 texts of varying lengths extending throughout the entire period of study. This collection contributes to the development of a more inclusive and global history of translation and interpreting. Translated, edited, and analyzed by leading scholars, this anthology is an invaluable resource for researchers, students, and translators interested in translation studies, Arab/Islamic history, and Arabic language and literature, as well as Islamic theology, linguistics, and the history of science. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Contributors Acknowledgments Transliteration Guide Introduction Translation in Arabic History The Early History of Arabic Translation The Arabic Terms for Translation Translation in Early Islam Translation in the Classical Age of Islam Translation in Modern Arabic Current Research On Arabic Translation History The Anthology Methodology The Corpus Text Selection Criteria Translation Anthology as Cultural Representation On the Historical Perspective Chronological vs. Thematic Organization Periodization A Historical Approach to Translation Initial Findings/observations Recommendations for Further Research Interpreting Community Translation Bible Translation Qur‘an Translation Translation Teaching The Anthology’s Divisions and Text Organization Notes Part The Classical Period (C. 500 Ce–1800 Ce) 1 From Hadith and Islamic Jurisprudence (632) Abu ’Abdullah Al-Shafi’i (767–820) Al-Um (The Exemplar) Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalani (1372–1449) Fath Al-Bari: Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari (Explanation of Al-Bukhari’s Hadith Collection) Ibn Qaiym Al-Jawziya (1292–1349) I’lam Al-Muwaqqi’in ’an Rabb Al-’Aalamin (Guidelines for Those Who Implement the Rules of God) [Translation/interpreting for Judges and Rulers] [From Al-Bukhari’s Collection of Hadiths] A On Translating for Judges, and If One Interpreter Is Admissible [Comments By Islamic Scholars On the Hadiths Cited By Al-Bukhari] Al-’Asqalani, Explanation of Al-Bukhari’s Hadith Collection Al-Shafi’i, The Exemplar Ibn Qaiym Al-Jawziya, Guidelines Commentary Notes 2 Interpreters in Islamic Conquests (823) Abu ’Abdullah Al-Waqidi (747–823) Futuh Al-Sham (The Conquests of Syria) Abu Jarir Al-Tabari (839–923) Tarikh Al-Rusul Wa Al-Muluk (History of the Messengers and Kings) Abu Al-Qasim Ibn ’Asakir (1105–1176) Tarikh Dimashq (History of Damascus) [Interpreters in Wars] Al-Tabari, History of Messengers and Kings [During the Arab Conquest of Persia] Ibn ‘Asakir, History of Damascus Al-Waqidi, The Conquest of Syria [Before the Battle Outside Damascus, the Muslim Commander Has Challenged Byzantine Soldiers to a Duel] [Narrative By ’Amair Al-Yashkuri, an Arab Soldier, About the Siege of Baalbek] [Before the Battle of Yarmuk] [During Battles in Palestine] [During the Siege of Aleppo] [In the Narrative of Al-Akwa’ Ibn’Abbad] [During the Conquest of Armenia] Commentary Notes 3 Epistle Regarding What Was Translated of Galen’s Books (859) Hunain Ibn Ishaq (810–873) [Scientific Translation in the Early Abbasid Age] Galen’s Book On Sects in Medicine His Book On The Art of Medicine Galen’s Book On the Pulse Addressed to Theuthras and Other Learners To Glaucon His Book On The Bones The Elements According to Hippocrates The Book of Natural Faculties The Book of Causes Diagnosis of Affected Places Galen’s Book On the Therapeutic Method His Book On Anatomical Procedures His Book On Disagreements in Anatomy His Book On Hippocrates’s Knowledge of Anatomy His Book On Erasistratus’ Knowledge of Anatomy His Book On The Motion of the Chest and the Lungs His Book On The Causes of Breathing His Book On The Voice His Book On The Opinions of Hippocrates and Galen His Book On The Uses of the Parts of the Body His Book On Simple Drugs His Book On Repletion Commentary Note 4 Book of Animals (869) Abu ’Uthman Al-Jahidh (780–869) Kitab Al-Haiawan (The Book of Animals) [On the Difficulty and Limitations of Translation] Commentary Note 5 The Letter of ’Abdullah Al-Hashimi to ’Abd Al-Masih Al-Kindi, Inviting Him to Islam, and Al-Kindi’s Response, Inviting Al-Hashimi to Christianity (Ninth–eleventh Centuries) [Translation in the Framework of Muslim–Christian Polemics] Al-Hashimi’s Letter to Al-Kindi The Response of Abdul Masih Al-Kindi Commentary Notes 6 Nabataean Agriculture (930) Abu Bakr Ibn Wahshiya (?–930) Al-Filaha Al-Nabatiya (Nabataean Agriculture) [Translating the Heritage of Minorities] Commentary Notes 7 Debate On the Merits of Grammar and Logic (935) Matta Ibn Yunus (?–939) Abu Sa’id Al-Sirafi (897–979) The Debate Between Matta and Al-Sirafi (Abu Haian Al-Tawhidi’s Al-‘Imta’ Wa Al-Mu‘anasa [Enjoyment and Companionship]) [On Translation and Linguistic Difference] Commentary Notes 8 Explanation of the Torah in Arabic (941) Sa’diya (Gaon) Ben Joseph Al-Fayumi (882–941) Tafsir Al-Tawrat Bi Al-’Arabiya (Explanation of the Torah in Arabic) Commentary Note 9 Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems (957) Abu Al-Hasan Al-Mas’udi (896–957) Muruj Al-Thahab Wa Ma’adin Al-Jawhar (Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems) [The Beginning of Translation in the Abbasid Age] Commentary Notes 10 The Index (990) Muhammad Ibn Al-Nadim (?–990) Al-Fihrist (The Index) [The Motivations for the Translation Movement] Statements at the Beginning of this From the Scholars in Their Own Words Another Account Another Account The Reasons Why Books On Philosophy and Other Ancient Sciences Have Been Translated in this Land Commentary Notes 11 Approximating the Scope of Logic: (1063) Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi (995–1063) Al-Taqrib Li Hadd Al-Mantiq (Approximating the Scope of Logic) [The Human Origins of Knowledge and Barriers to Translation] [Introduction to Logic Or Isagoge] Commentary 12 Commentary On Aristotle’s Poetics (1198) Ibn Rushd (Averroes) (1126–1198) Talkhis Kitab Aristu Talis Fi Al-Shi’r (Commentary On Aristotle’s Book On Poetry) [On the Universal Laws of Poetry] [From Four, On Panegyric] [From Five, On Panegyric and the Nature of Imitation It Employs] [From Six] [Types of Imitation] [From Seven] Commentary Notes 13 History of Wise Men (1248) Jamal Al-Din Al-Qifti (1172–1248) Ikhbar Al-’Ulama‘ Bi Akhbar Al-Hukama‘ (History of Wise Men) [Methods of Translating Greek Philosophy and Science] Aristotle, Son of Nicomachus On Categorias [Categories], Its Translators and Exegetes On Sophistiqa [Sophistical Refutations], Which Deals With Specious Wisdom On Rhetoriqa, That Is “Rhetoric” On Coming to Be and Corruption, By Him Upper Phenomena [Meteorology] By Aristotle On the Soul On Sense and the Sensible, By Him Animals By Aristotle Divinity, Also Known as Letters and Metaphysics [Aristotle’s Metaphysics] Apollonius the Carpenter [of Perga] On Galen’s Commentaries On Hippocrates’ Books Ptolemy Philadelphus Commentary Notes 14 The Translation of the Samaritan Torah (The Second Half of the Thirteenth Century) Tarjamat Al-Tawrat Al-Samiriya (The Translation of the Samaritan Torah) [On the “True” Translation of the Torah] Commentary Notes 15 The Chronicles of Time (Late Thirteenth Century) Akhbar Al-Zaman (The Chronicles of Time) [On the First Language and the Confusion of Tongues] The Confusion of Tongues Commentary Notes 16 Classes of Physicians (1270) Abu Al-’Abbas Ibn Abi Usaibi’a (1200–1270) ’Uyun Al-Anba‘ Fi Tabaqat Al-Attiba‘ (Classes of Physicians) [On Medical Translation] Galen’s Works The Classes of Physicians Who Translated Medical Books and Others From Greek Into Arabic, and an Account of Those for Whom They Translated The Classes of Syriac Physicians Who Were Active in the Beginning of the Abbasid State The Classes of Physicians Who Appeared in Al-Maghreb and Lived There Commentary Notes 17 Treaties Between Islamic States and Italian Cities (Fourteenth–sixteenth Centuries) Translation as a Profession [Treaties Between the Hafsid State and Italian Cities] [1313] [1353] Clause 10 Clause 11 Clause 13 [1445] In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful Praised Be God, the Lord of the Two Domains [Treaties Between the Mamluk State and Italian Cities] [1496] Clause [1507] The Exalted Name Qansuh Commentary Note 18 Collected Fatwas, Refutation of Al-Jahmiya, Response to Those Who Have Changed the Religion of Christ (1328) Taqi Al-Din Ibn Taimiya (1263–1328) Al-Jawab Al-Sahih Liman Baddala Din Al-Masih (The Sound Refutation of Those Who Have Changed the Religion of Christ) Baian Talbis Al-Jahmiya Fi Ta‘sis Bida’ihim Al-Kalamiya (Demonstration of the Deceitfulness of the Jahmiya in Their Establishment of Their Kalam Innovations) Majmu’ Al-Fatawa (Collected Responses) [The Role of Translation in the Transmission of Religious Scriptures] From The Sound Refutation The Fifth Aspect (Part Two) (Part Three) (Part Five) Commentary [On Terminological Incompatibility in Translation] From Demonstration of the Deceitfulness of the Jahmiya (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) Commentary On the Two Texts Note 19 Commentary On the L-Rhymed Poem (1363) Salah Al-Din Al-Safadi (1296–1363) Al-Ghaith Al-Musajjam (Commentary On the L-Rhymed Poem) [The Two Methods of Translation] Commentary 20 The Reconciliation of the Fundamentals of Islamic Law (1388) Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Al-Shatibi (1204–1285) Al-Muwafaqat Fi ‘Usul Al-Fiqh (The Reconciliation of the Fundamentals of Islamic Law) [Translation and the Levels of Semantic Reference] Commentary Note 21 On the Fundamentals of Jurisprudence, On the Rules of Jurisprudence, On the Sciences of the Qur‘an (1392) Badr Al-Din Al-Zarkashi (1344–1392) Al-Burhan Fi ’Ulum Al-Qur‘an (On the Sciences of the Qur‘an) [The Possibility of Translating the Qur‘an] From On the Fundamentals of Jurisprudence From On the Rules of Jurisprudence From On the Sciences of the Qur‘an Commentary On the Fundamentals of Jurisprudence On the Rules of Jurisprudence On the Sciences of the Qur‘an Notes 22 Ibn Khaldun’s Journey (1406) ’Abd Al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406) Al-Ta’rif Bi Ibn Khaldun Wa Rihlatuh Sharqan Wa Gharban (Introducing Ibn Khaldun and His Journey East and West) [Ibn Khaldun: a Translator of Cultures] Commentary Notes 23 The Craft of Composition (1418) Abu Al-’Abbas Al-Qalqashandi (1355–1418) Subh Al-A’sha Fi Sina’at Al-Insha (On the Craft of Composition) [Translation in the Mamluk Chancellery] (Part One) Second Objective: Explaining the Foreign Language Knowledge Required of a Clerk Category One—correspondence (from Part One) Number Seven: a Clerk Who Maintains the Chancellery’s Records and Registers Second Type: Writing Summaries and Responding to Reports From the Royal Diwans Fourth Type: Correspondence Arriving From the Christian Kings in Al-Andalus, the Northern Regions, and Other Territories in Those Parts Commentary Notes 24 A Treatise On the Translation of the Qur‘an (1542) Muhammad Ibn Bilal (1471–1550) Risala Fi Tarjamat Al-Qur‘an (A Treatise On the Translation of the Qur‘an: On Al-Razi’s Injunction Against Prayer ... [On Prayer in Translation] The Twelfth Argument The Fifteenth Argument Commentary Notes 25 Translation of Ulugh Beg’s Astronomical Tables (C. 1543) [Scientific Translation After the “Golden Age”] In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful Commentary Notes 26 The Holy Scriptures in Arabic (1671) Sarkis Ibn Musa Al-Rizzi (C. 1572–1638) Al-Kutub Al-Muqaddasa Bi Al-Lisan Al-’Arabi (The Holy Scriptures in the Arabic Tongue) [The First Missionary Translation of the Bible] Introduction Commentary Notes Part The Nahda Period (1800–1918) 27 The History of Al-Jabarti (C. 1822) ’Abd Al-Rahman Al-Jabarti (1753–1825) ’Aja‘ib Al-Athar Fi Al-Tarajim Wa Al-Akhbar (Marvelous Compositions of Biographies and Chronicles, Or The History of Al-Jabarti) [Chronicles of Translation During the French Occupation of Egypt] Commentary Notes 28 Document for Appointing Rifa’a Al-Tahtawi (1831): Promotion of Al-Tahtawi to the Rank of Amiralay (1846) Muhammad ’Ali Pasha (1770–1849) Rifa’a Al-Tahtawi (1701–1873) Rifa’a Al-Tahtawi’s Appointment as a Teacher at the Medical School in Abu Za’bal [Muhammad .Ali Pacha Signals the Start of the Translation Movement] [The Official Patronage of Translation] Commentary 29 Speech Delivered at the Staging of The Miser (1848) Marun Al-Naqqash (1817–1855) Speech Delivered at the Staging of The Miser, From Arzat Lubnan (The Cedar of Lebanon) [Between Translation and Authorship] The Speech That He (May He Rest in Peace) Delivered Upon Introducing His First Play in February of 1848 Commentary Notes 30 Translation of Robinson Crusoe (1861) Butrus Al-Bustani (1819–1883) Al-Tuhfa Al-Bustaniya Fi Al-Sira Al-Kruziya (The Bustanian Gem of the Crusian Biography) The Translator’s Introduction Commentary 31 The Bible, That Is the Old and New Testaments, Newly Translated From the Hebrew and Greek Languages ... Eli Smith (1801–1857) Cornelius Van Dyck (1818–1895) Nasif Al-Yaziji (1800–1871) Yusuf Al-Asir Al-Husaini (1817–1889) Butrus Al-Bustani Note On the Protestant Translation 32 The Seekers’ Guide to the Precious Bible (1869) Simeon Calhoun (1804–1876) Murshid Al-Talibin Ila Al-Kitab Al-Muqaddas Al-Thamin (The Seekers’ Guide to the Precious Bible) [The Veracity of the Bible and Its Universal Nature] Part 1: 6: On the Authenticity of the Holy Bible Part 1: 8: of the Translation of the Holy Bible The Sixth: the Arabic Translation Commentary Note 33 Proofs of the Fundamental Truth of Christianity (1877) James Shepard Dennis (1842–1914) Khulasat Al-Adilla Al-Saniya ’ala Sidq Usul Al-Diana Al-Masihiya (Summa of Supreme Proofs of the Fundamental Truth of Christianity [On the Accuracy of Translation] Commentary On the Protestant Translation Notes 34 Revealing the Hidden Arts of Europe (1866) Ahmad Faris Al-Shidiaq (1803–1887) Kashf Al-Mukhabba ’an Funun Uruba (Revealing the Hidden Arts of Europe) The English Pursuit of Fame Commentary Notes 35 The Holy Bible (The Jesuit Translation): First Edition (1876–1881): Second Edition (1897) Augustin Rodet (1828–1906) Ibrahim Al-Yaziji (1847–1906) [Introduction to the First Edition] The Translators’ Preface Commentary [The Jesuit Translation] Introduction to the Second Edition Commentary Notes 36 Official Documents About His Service as a Translator (1887–1896) Ahmad Zaki Pasha (1867–1934) [Translation as a Government Profession] Document 1 Cabinet Head Document 2 Document 3 Document 4 Cabinet Head Document 5 Commentary Notes 37 Edifying Plays in the Art of Tragedy (1893) Muhammad ’Uthman Jalal (1829–1898) Al-Riwayiat Al-Mufida Fi ’ilm Al-Tarajida [Edifying Plays in the Art of Tragedy] Al-Amani Wa Al-Minna Fi Hadith Qabul Wa Ward Jinnah (Hope and Gratitude: The Tale of Qabul and Ward Jinna) Edifying Plays in the Art of Tragedy In the Name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful. Commentary Note 38 The Tale of Qubul and Ward Jinna (1912) In the Name of God the Beneficent, the Merciful Commentary Notes 39 “Arabization” (1895) Khalil Baidas (1874–1949) Jurji Zaidan (1861–1914) [The Limits of Translation] Arabization (Nazareth) Khalil Effendi Ibrahim Baidas Commentary Note 40 “Language and this Age” (1897) Ibrahim Al-Yaziji [Arabic and the Challenges of Modernity] Commentary Note 41 Copyright of Authorship and Translation (1899–1905) Jurji Zaidan Articles On the Rights of Translator and Authors The Translation of Armanusa the Egyptian Into Russian The Translation of Armanusa the Egyptian Into the French Language Praise and Criticism Section (The Rights of Translation and the Rights of Authorship) The Rights of Translation and the Rights of Authorship (Halfa) Halim Effendi Hilmi, Teacher at a Government School The Translation of The Virgin of Quraish Into English (Request for Permission) Esteemed Founder of the Innovative Al-Hilal The Rights of Printing and Translation in Egypt (Alexandria) Salim Effendi Sa’id The Novels of Al-Hilal Their Persian Translations and Omitting the Author’s Name Commentary Note 42 Translation in Islamic History (1900–1912) Rashid Rida (1860–1935) Muhammad ’Abdo (1849–1905) Shibli Nu’mani (1857–1914) The Civilization of the Arabs (Third Overview) Astronomy Islam and Christianity With Science and Civilization (The Third Article By this Wise Guide and Erudite Teacher) The Interest of Muslims in Literary, and Then Logical Knowledge Their Establishment of Scientific Schools and Methods of Teaching The Sciences and Discoveries of the Arabs Critique of the History of Islamic Civilization Shaikh Shibli Al-Nu’mani 4 The Dissemination of Knowledge and Science Commentary Notes 43 Translation of Les Misérables (1903) Hafidh Ibrahim (1871–1932) Translation of Les Misérables By Hugo In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate Introduction On the Rendering of this Book Into Arabic Commentary Notes 44 Homer’s Iliad (1904) Sulaiman Al-Bustani (1856–1925) The Translation of Homer’s Iliad Introduction The Iliad and Islam Arabic Translators The Translation The Translator’s Personal Account of His Translation of the Iliad Translating the Original Writing the Explanations Principles of Translation Arabic Translators The Translator’s Approach to Translating The Iliad Preserving the Original Avoiding the Inelegant and Arcane Versification in Translation Greek and European Rhymes and Meters Commentary Notes 45 Celebrating the Translator of the Iliad (al-Muqtataf Magazine) (1904) [Perspectives On Translation in the Nahda] Esteemed Gentlemen Commentary Notes 46 Europe’s Crime Against Itself and the World (1906) [Translation and Morality] A Word On Authorship and Translation Commentary Notes 47 Guide for the Modern Translator (1906) Murshid Al-Mutarjim Al-Hadith (Guide for the Modern Translator) [On the Methods of Teaching Translation] Commentary Note 48 The Gospel of Barnabas (1908) Khalil Sa’ada (1857–1934) Rashid Rida Translation of the Gospel of Barnabas The Translator’s Introduction The Publisher’s Introduction Commentary Notes 49 “Copyright Law” (1910) [The First Translation Legislation in Arabic] The Copyright Law Commentary Note 50 “Poetry and Poets” (1910) Amin Al-Rihani (1876–1940) Al-Rihaniyat (al-Rihani’s Collected Essays) [The Local and the Global] Commentary Notes 51 “Translation Lessons” (1912) (1870–1931) Hidaiat Al-Mudarris Li Al-Nidham Al-Madrasi Wa Turuq Al-Tadris (The Teacher’s Guidance to the School System and Teaching Methods) [The Methods and Benefits of Teaching Translation] Commentary 52 “‘La Marseillaise’: History of the French National Anthem and Its Translation Into Arabic” (1918) The Arabic Translations Commentary Notes Bibliography Appendices: Abbreviation List Appendix (1) Statistical Tables for the Classical Period Appendix 2 Statistical Tables for the Nahda Period Index