Arab Voices in Western Writing: The Politics of the Arabic Novel in English and the Anglophone Arab Novel

Abstract

What are the problems that face Arab writers who wish to see their work translated? A recent (2015) call for papers by Clina, an interdisciplinary journal of translation published in Spain, proposed for consideration a number of issues ranging from: "the factors that influence the selection of an Arabic literary work for translation"; whether "translators foreground, or exaggerate, particular stylistic or thematic aspects in the works they translate"; whether the notion that it is "embargoed" still influences the way Arabic literature is being treated by translators, publishers and readers; and whether there is a deliberate intent, as Said stated, to "interdict any attention to texts that do not reiterate the usual clichés about 'Islam,' violence, sensuality and so forth?" (Shamma) A consensus among critics and commentators concerning the obstacles facing the Arabic novel in Western markets and issues surrounding translation of Arabic literary texts into English/French might be summarized as: 1) The Western point of view that Arabic literature is "problematic" and is still therefore to some degree "embargoed," for the reason that Said gave in 1990: that "Arabs and their language were somehow not respectable, and consequently dangerous, louche, unapproachable." [...]while the published English version may be said to confirm rather than challenge the reader's cultural expectations, it can be argued that in the case of Girls of Riyadh the writer was exercising her right of agency in approving such a translation; in desiring to render one she considered more "authentic" Booth's resistance could be seen as misplaced. [...]the values projected by the novel in its Arabic original are not significantly changed in English translation. Valentine's day is banned because it is a Christian event that ignited unvirtuous feelings between boys and girls. ("bibliojunckie"; emphasis added) The blogger, who claims to be "well versed with Arab culture," is gratified by the manner in which the text uploads information about peculiarities of Saudi society such as the use of Bedouin names and its main tribal divisions, in effect endorsing the text as authoritative ethnographic report. [...]Western publishers might be said to contract a pact with such authors that underwrites much of their work: in order to be published, this type of subject matter will form at least a part, if not the sum, of what they write.