Abstract   

The translation sector in the Arab world suffers from several problems. Nevertheless, the serious attempts by some Arabic institutions to develop an integrated civilized project should not be underestimated. Among the impediments, we may mention the issues of the translators’ qualifications, the issue of the terminology, the publishing market chaos, the poor funding and the interference of the political aspects in the cultural ones. However, there are glittering aspects in this respect such as the existence of serious institutions dealing with translation, the growing development of the schools of translation in the Arab world, the issuing of general bilingual and specialized dictionaries, the numerous conferences held about the status of translation, and the initiative taken by some institutions to grant incentive awards for the distinctive works in the field of translation. At this point, there seems to be great hope for the translation field to witness a state of prosperity and advancement and to turn into an instrument of dialogue, contact, and exchange among cultures, especially when it takes place in the framework of a great scientific and cultural renaissance. For translation is not an issue that stands by itself; it cannot be separated from the Arabic cultural crisis as a whole. Translation is the strategy of a society, of a state; it is a national and cultural plan, and a cultural and civilizational necessity. Therefore, the Arab countries need a translation operation that is institutional and methodical, linked to a cultural and national strategy.