Cairo University's Center for Foreign Languages and Specialized Translation has initiated its annual translation contest, coinciding with the International Translation Day. The contest, titled "Egyptian Folk Literature to the World: Proverbs and Colloquial Expressions," is under the patronage of Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University, and supervision of Dr. Manar Abdel Maez, Director of the Center. The goal is to transfer a genuine aspect of Egyptian heritage and culture to readers who do not speak Arabic.
This year's contest celebrates the legacy of Ahmed Tiemour Pasha, a prominent figure in Egyptian culture and heritage. Two of his books have been selected for translation: "Colloquial Metaphors" for young translators under 22 years old, and "Colloquial Proverbs" for professional translators aged 23 and above. The contest includes translations into nine languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek emphasized that translation is a crucial bridge between nations and cultures, extending beyond word-for-word translation to convey ideas, values, and cultural specifics. He highlighted that Cairo University prioritizes translation as part of its cultural and enlightening mission and its openness to the world. The choice of Egyptian folk literature as this year's contest theme carries significant cultural weight.
The contest aims to emphasize the importance of translation in enriching human culture, promoting dialogue, and cooperation between nations. It also seeks to introduce non-Arabic speakers to Egyptian culture and encourage young Egyptian translators to translate Egyptian intellectual and cultural production into their specialty languages. The contest's judging committee consists of a secret panel of professors from various languages and literature.
The contest began on September 30, 2026, with the registration deadline set for October 20, 2026, and the submission deadline for translations on January 31, 2027. The results will be announced, and a ceremony will be held for the winners in April 2027. Prizes include 10,000 Egyptian pounds for the first-place winner in the young translator category and 20,000 Egyptian pounds for the first-place winner in the professional category.
The contest's prizes are divided equally if more than one translator participates in the winning work. Certificates of appreciation will be awarded to the top three winners in each language. The winning translation will be published in a book issued by Cairo University's Center for Foreign Languages and Specialized Translation, allowing the distinguished works to reach a broader audience.
The contest's rules state that the prize will be withheld if the translations do not meet the required level, if parts of the original book are omitted during translation, or if there is excessive use of automatic translation that leads to a loss of human creative element. The contest prioritizes the role of the translator as a cultural mediator who can understand the text's specificity and convey its spirit and implications to another language and culture.
Key points
- The contest aims to introduce Egyptian folk literature to a global audience through translation into nine languages.
- The contest celebrates the legacy of Ahmed Tiemour Pasha, a prominent figure in Egyptian culture and heritage.
- The contest offers prizes of up to 20,000 Egyptian pounds for the top winners in two categories: young translators and professional translators.
