Doha: The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding announced yesterday the opening of nominations for its ninth session, which will run until the end of July.
Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad, the official Spokesperson and Media Advisor for the award, said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the award, founded in 2015, aims to become the most important and largest international award for translation from and into Arabic from various languages of the world.
She explained that the Spanish language was chosen as a second major language again, after it was chosen in 2016, along with the English language in the ninth session.
Dr. Al Fayyad indicated that this selection came as a result of the award’s vigorous follow-up in recent years of translation activity in a large number of countries, where the award was able to develop a strategy to encourage translation from and to Arabic, through a systematic selection of the main and sub languages within the various award categories. In each course by choosing a major international language, and a second language.
She added that the award continues to honour the achievement and long-term efforts made in the field of translation, whether by individuals or institutions.
Bulgarian, Sindhi, and Somali were chosen as sub-languages (along with the two main languages) within the Achievement Awards category for this year.
This is to stimulate translation efforts from and into Arabic in countries speaking these languages, and to encourage the continuity of culture between the societies of these countries and Arab societies in general.
The candidacy and nomination for the 2023 session will be completely electronic through the official website of the award (hta.qa) to facilitate procedures and provide a smoother and faster experience for all candidates.
The award seeks to honour translators and acknowledge their role in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation amongst peoples and nations of the world. The total value of the prize in its various categories is $2m.
