Turkish-Arabic translations worth a million dollars

Organized in the name of the former emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, a translation competition will be held offering $1 million in prizes to its winners. Executive committee member of the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani Translation and International Understanding Award, Mujab el-Imam, was in Istanbul to promote the translation competition.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), el-Imam said the competition, which will take place in Doha, will give away $1 million in award money to translators and institutions chosen by independent referees. Highlighting that the award will be given for the first time by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani Foundation, el-Imam said: "The competition aims to deepen the relationship between Arab culture and different cultures through translation. The award will be given in five different categories: From Arabic to English, English to Arabic, Arabic to Turkish and Turkish to Arabic as well as a special prize." Each translation will be evaluated by three independent referees and the award money will be presented to the winners on Nov. 26 in Doha.

The winners of each category will receive $100,000 while those who come in second will receive $60,000 and the third place contestants will receive $40,000. El-Imam highlighted that the awards will be given for translations concerning social sciences. Associate Professor Mehmet Hakkı Suçin of Gazi University, who is known for his Arabic translations, said the award will encourage the production of translations. He said the award will also contribute to Arabic literature, adding: "Publishing houses in Turkey are not aware of the good examples of Arabic literature. Hence, the award might increase the attention to Arabic literature." Suçin said the award will also encourage new translators, adding that the organization will contribute to the quality of the translations of Arabic literature. Those who translated a text concerning social sciences from Arabic to Turkish or Turkish to Arabic in the last five years can apply to the contest until Sept. 20.