Towards a Civilisational 'Millennial Theory of Translation': With an Application to English < > Arabic Translation

Abstract

The world has reached a terrifying point of chaotic, uncivilised globalisation, epistermicide, conflicts, and wars, at a time when translation is accessed easily and often freely through Artificial Intelligence–based translation systems. It is illogical to think that translation as such has played a constructive role globally. On the contrary, the role is generally ‘scandalous’, putting aside its important role in some social settings and knowledge-related contexts, like medical, court and police settings. Therefore, this paper aims to present the tenets of a 'civilisational' theory of translation, I would like to call the 'Millennial Theory of Translation', and a simple model valid for application to various language pairs. It is applied to English < > Arabic translation in a methodological framework that is based on grounded theory. Starting from a redefinition of translation as 'the interpretation of what is said (interpreting), written (translation), or delivered in sign language (sign interpreting) to communicate and understand a civilisational message', the suggested theory explores a translation process that consists of four stages: the 'why' to translate, 'what' to translate, 'who' translates and 'how'. In each stage, the translator makes his decision based on a realisation of his functional, civilisational role. The theory, which differentiates between written translation and interpreting, is explained, then, in terms of a model that consists of seven steps. It seeks to restore the functional, civilisational role of translation to build societies and reserve the universe rather than contributing to 'a shameful history of translation', conflicts and wars among nations.