The Saudi capital is set to host the 2nd edition of the Translation Forum 2022, described as the largest translation gathering in the region, to discuss the modern trends and techs in the translation industry, and the new, promising opportunities offered by the technological advancement driven by machine learning and artificial intelligence, as well as highlighting the role of translation in enhancing the kingdom’s cultural position worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission announced the second Translation Forum in Riyadh. Titled “Translating the Future; Translation and Technology,” the forum is set to be held on November 3-4 at the headquarters of the education ministry.
“The translation sector is going through a golden stage and requires more organization to achieve a translation quality that reflects the advancement Saudi Arabia achieved in all sectors,” said Abdul Rahman al-Sayed, CEO of the Saudi Arabia Translation Association.
“The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has shouldered several responsibilities mainly empowering the individuals and entities working in translation, regulating the labor market, and controling the quality of translation,” he added.
Sayed noted that translation is a vital cultural sector that contributes significantly to the intellectual and educational scene. The Saudi translation sector has witnessed a number of initiatives, in addition to the Translation Forum, which explores the challenges and concerns of the sector, and the aspirations of translators.”
Among the initiative are “Tarjim.”
The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission announced the program of the forum, featuring many topics and titles that will be discussed in workshops, discussion panels, training courses, and gatherings that will offer a great opportunity for those interested in the sector, in addition to meeting translation experts to discuss the future of the industry, and the challenges facing the practitioners.
The forum hosts different activities including nine panels that cover the key issues in the translation field; 10 workshops aimed at polishing the skills of practitioners and developing their skills, nationalizing websites and apps, promoting artificial intelligence use in translation, and Arabizing videogames; and three interactive workshops on each day that explore the modern translation techniques, and the computerized projects and functions in translation.
The forum will also celebrate the winners of the Translation Hackathon, which the commission organized in October. The Hackathon saw the participation of 34 teams, a total of 102 participants over four days. The winning teams will be honored on the forum’s closing ceremony on November 4.
The Saudi culture ministry has concentrated its efforts to enhance the kingdom’s position as a leading, digital reference in translation by launching the Arabic Translation Monitor initiative last week, the first regional translation entity in Saudi Arabia.
