#arabictranslationchallenge

April Translation Challenge: Konafa v. Qatayef

For our most recent Translation Challenge, hosted by Adam Talib, participants tried their hand at translating an 1882 text on taxation by ʿAbd Allāh an-Nadīm, and the results were  “cruel and barbarous, blood-curdling and gut-wrenching.” For this month’s translation challenge, we hope the results will be sweeter. Join in the comments below or by emailing your translation of the challenge text to…

January Translation Challenge: Kushajim

Hosted by Salma Harland I was thrilled to find out that ArabLit’s #ArabicTranslationChallenge is back and thought that nothing could be more befitting than Kushājim’s epigrammatic riddles. Kushājim (c. 902 – 970 CE) is a celebrated 10th-century Arab court poet, master chef, and polymath who was part of Sayf al-Dawla’s circle. Though a poet of considerable range, Kushājim is best known as a…

‘Here Comes the Ripper’

ArabLit hosted our seventh — and final* — edition of the Arabic Translation Challenge starting June 23, 2020:

By Kevin Blankinship

“Time to run for dear life because you are his lunch.”

Thanks to everyone for supporting the Arabic Translation Challenge! We’ll be back soon, promise. For some well-known and pretty straightforward lines of Arabic poetry, I was amazed yet again by the range and…

Arabic Translation Challenge: If You See His Fangs Bared …

For the seventh and final week of our #ArabicTranslationChallenge pilot project, you must face the lion’s jaws:

By Kevin Blankinship

Attributed to Mo‘in Mosavvir, February 13, 1672. © The Aga Khan Museum.

It has come to this: the final “pilot” week of the Arabic Translation Challenge. To be honest, I started the series for a selfish reason, namely, to connect with people on social media. I didn’t…

‘Fee for a Feline’

ArabLit hosted our sixth edition of the Arabic Translation Challenge starting June 16, 2020:

By Kevin Blankinship

Thanks to everyone for another great #ArabicTranslationChallenge! Next week will be the last round of our pilot program, after which we’ll take a few weeks off to consider how best to continue the series. Suggestions are always welcome. Thanks for your support thus far!

I’m tickled by…

Arabic Translation Challenge: ‘You’ve Aged Like a Cat!’

For the sixth week of our #ArabicTranslationChallenge, a cat appears:

By Kevin Blankinship

An older cat.

Thanks to all who took part in last week’s challenge, and a very special thanks to Youssef Rakha for hosting. It’s hard to believe that we’re down to just two weeks left of the Arabic Translation Challenge “pilot” program! As we ponder what the future holds for the series, your support and…

Arabic Translation Challenge: ‘You’ve Aged Like a Cat!’

For the sixth week of our #ArabicTranslationChallenge, a cat appears:

By Kevin Blankinship

An older cat.

Thanks to all who took part in last week’s challenge, and a very special thanks to Youssef Rakha for hosting. It’s hard to believe that we’re down to just two weeks left of the Arabic Translation Challenge “pilot” program! As we ponder what the future holds for the series, your support and…

‘No Way But The Way’

ArabLit hosted our fifth edition of the Arabic Translation Challenge starting June 9, 2020:

By Youssef Rakha

First, two quick remarks:

– It’s heart-warming to see Sargon’s voice transmogrify in so many ways and across four languages; and

– My choice of entries has less to do with my assessment or preferences than a general sense of balance. I would definitely encourage readers to seek out the…