A seminar by Qatari Literature Initiative in co-operation with the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Qatar University (QU) discussed the role of translation in the local media in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The seminar coincided with the International Translation Day and aimed to shed light on the role of translators in supporting the efforts of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management to raise awareness and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The seminar also discussed the official translation policies and practices with regard to social media, and presented an in-depth analysis of communication challenges in Qatar. The speakers introduced new perspectives in crisis translation training brought about by the current pandemic.
The event featured contributions by Ibrahim Sultan al-Hashemi, secretary of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, Dr Sarah Hillman from Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar University's Dr Khaled al-Shahari, Dr Rizwan Ahmed, and Dr Dhyiaa Borresly. Hind Ibrahim Zourob, member of the Qatari Literature Initiative, was the moderator.
Al-Hashemi stressed that translation is an important tool for communication and that Qatar is now in dire need of translation services, especially in view of the recent increase in expat population related to preparations for World Cup 2022.
Al-Hashemi also explained that one of the common misconceptions about Qatar’s commitment to labour reforms is that these reforms were initiated in response to the negative media coverage associated with hosting the 2022 World Cup.
'In fact, Qatar had already committed to reforming these laws and regulations in its 2030 vision. This is evident in following the timeline for these reforms, in line with the nature of the local market, the culture of the society, and the reality on the ground, independently of the media bubbles that appeared from time to time," he said.
Dr al-Shahari addressed the theme 'Official policies and practices in the translation of Covid-19 related material on social media in Qatar'. He focused on two main topics: the importance of the policies adopted by the Qatari government during the current crisis in regards to the delivery of basic information to residents who are non-Arabic speakers, and the use of social media by government institutions in Qatar to communicate basic information related to Covid-19 to residents who are non-Arabic speakers. He also stressed the need for the Government Communications Office to use all social media platforms.
Dr Ahmed addressed the third theme, 'Communication challenges in multilingual societies: Qatar as a model'. He presented a joint research paper produced with Dr Hillman. The project examined the communication strategies used to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Qatar with a focus on using languages of non-Arab communities.
The findings of the study reveal that while it is important to use the languages of the communities and employ various communication channels to spread awareness, it is equally or more important to know “who delivers the message and in what form”. The study shows the important roles played by community leaders, religious figures, and social media influencers in disseminating health awareness material to communities in their own different languages.
Dr Borresly addressed the fourth theme of the symposium 'Training translators to deal with crises'. She stated that translators and interpreters play an important role in facilitating communication during crises.
The seminar also discussed the official translation policies and practices with regard to social media, and presented an in-depth analysis of communication challenges in Qatar. The speakers introduced new perspectives in crisis translation training brought about by the current pandemic.
The event featured contributions by Ibrahim Sultan al-Hashemi, secretary of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, Dr Sarah Hillman from Texas A&M University at Qatar, Qatar University's Dr Khaled al-Shahari, Dr Rizwan Ahmed, and Dr Dhyiaa Borresly. Hind Ibrahim Zourob, member of the Qatari Literature Initiative, was the moderator.
Al-Hashemi stressed that translation is an important tool for communication and that Qatar is now in dire need of translation services, especially in view of the recent increase in expat population related to preparations for World Cup 2022.
Al-Hashemi also explained that one of the common misconceptions about Qatar’s commitment to labour reforms is that these reforms were initiated in response to the negative media coverage associated with hosting the 2022 World Cup.
'In fact, Qatar had already committed to reforming these laws and regulations in its 2030 vision. This is evident in following the timeline for these reforms, in line with the nature of the local market, the culture of the society, and the reality on the ground, independently of the media bubbles that appeared from time to time," he said.
Dr al-Shahari addressed the theme 'Official policies and practices in the translation of Covid-19 related material on social media in Qatar'. He focused on two main topics: the importance of the policies adopted by the Qatari government during the current crisis in regards to the delivery of basic information to residents who are non-Arabic speakers, and the use of social media by government institutions in Qatar to communicate basic information related to Covid-19 to residents who are non-Arabic speakers. He also stressed the need for the Government Communications Office to use all social media platforms.
Dr Ahmed addressed the third theme, 'Communication challenges in multilingual societies: Qatar as a model'. He presented a joint research paper produced with Dr Hillman. The project examined the communication strategies used to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Qatar with a focus on using languages of non-Arab communities.
The findings of the study reveal that while it is important to use the languages of the communities and employ various communication channels to spread awareness, it is equally or more important to know “who delivers the message and in what form”. The study shows the important roles played by community leaders, religious figures, and social media influencers in disseminating health awareness material to communities in their own different languages.
Dr Borresly addressed the fourth theme of the symposium 'Training translators to deal with crises'. She stated that translators and interpreters play an important role in facilitating communication during crises.
