ABSTRACT

This chapter describes and reflects upon the teaching of a course on the theory and practice of Arabic-English literary translation. The course's dual focus on theory and practice was developed with a firm commitment to foregrounding the politics of Arabic-English translation. These reflections highlight how the course prepared students to translate this particular literary tradition and to think about their own translation projects in relation to larger contexts. The unequal power relationship between Arabic and English languages and literatures was emphasized throughout the course. The assignments emphasized practical elements of translation with an eye to integrating theoretical discourses. Critiques of translations, whether focused on the students' own work or that of others, are expected to employ successful argumentation that draws on theoretical concepts from readings, research, and class discussions. Exploring all of the connections, particularly those between theory, practice, and politics, suggests possibilities for teaching the English-language translation of a marginalized literary tradition like Arabic.