Translating Egypt's Revolution: The Language of Tahrir (A Tahrir Studies Edition)

This unique interdisciplinary collective project is the culmination of research and translation work conducted by AUC students of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds who continue to witness Egypt's ongoing revolution. This historic event has produced an unprecedented proliferation of political and cultural documents and materials, whether written, oral, or visual. Given their range, different linguistic registers, and referential worlds, these documents present a great challenge to any translator. The contributors to this volume have selectively translated chants, banners, jokes, poems, and interviews, as well as presidential speeches and military communiqués. Their practical translation work is informed by the cultural turn in translation studies and the nuanced role of the translator as negotiator between texts and cultures. The chapters focus on the relationship between translation and semiotics, issues of fidelity and equivalence, creative transformation and rewriting, and the issue of target readership. This mature collective project is in many ways a reenactment of the new infectious revolutionary spirit in Egypt today. “Samia Mehrez and her young colleagues offer a magnificent testimony to the revolution in imagination, signalling the dawn of a new era. A must-read for anyone wanting to grapple with the multiple meanings of Egypt’s unfolding politics." —Michael Burawoy, UC Berkeley This Unique Interdisciplinary Collective Project Is The Culmination Of Research And Translation Work Conducted By American University In Cairo Students Of Different Cultural And Linguistic Backgrounds Who Continue To Witness Egypt's Ongoing Revolution. This Historic Event Has Produced An Unprecedented Proliferation Of Political And Cultural Documents And Materials, Whether Written, Oral, Or Visual. Given Their Range, Different Linguistic Registers, And Referential Worlds, These Documents Present A Great Challenge To Any Translator. The Contributors To This Volume Have Selectively Translated Chants, Banners, Jokes, Poems, And Interviews, As Well As Presidential Speeches And Military Communiqués. Their Practical Translation Work Is Informed By The Cultural Turn In Translation Studies And The Nuanced Role Of The Translator As Negotiator Between Texts And Cultures. The Chapters Focus On The Relationship Between Translation And Semiotics, Issues Of Fidelity And Equivalence, Creative Transformation And Rewriting, And The Issue Of Target Readership. This Mature Collective Project Is In Many Ways A Reenactment Of The New Infectious Revolutionary Spirit In Egypt Today. -- Publisher Description. Mulid Al-tahrir: Semiotics Of A Revolution / Sahar Keraitim And Samia Mehrez -- Of Drama And Performance: Transformative Discourses Of The Revolution / Amira Taha And Christopher Combs -- Signs And Signifiers: Visual Translations Of Revolt / Laura Gribbon And Sarah Hawas -- Reclaiming The City: Street Art Of The Revolution / Lewis Sanders Iv -- Al-thawra Al-dahika: The Challenges Of Translating Revolutionary Humor / Heba Salem And Kantaro Taira -- The Soul Of Tahrir: Poetics Of A Revolution / Lewis Sanders Iv And Mark Visonà -- The People And The Army Are One Hand: Myths And Their Translations / Menna Khalil -- Global Translations And Translating The Global: Discursive Regimes Of Revolt / Sarah Hawas. Edited By Samia Mehrez. Includes Bibliographical References.