Published or Forthcoming by Gaafar Sadek
Translation Spaces, 2012
As the contours of the globalized digital information society become apparent, so does the need f... more As the contours of the globalized digital information society become apparent, so does the need for a reform of translation rights within the intellectual property regime. The history of translation rights provides insights that help us understand the underlying economic and political tensions in copyright negotiations today. The various versions of agency in translation studies, which run parallel to recent interactive technologies, destabilize important notions in copyright law, such as authorship, originality, and the idea-expression dichotomy. Finally, translational ethics can perhaps contribute to redirect current dialogues on copyright and language policy towards increased interdisciplinarity and internationalism, in part, as a result of decentralizing power.
The Translator, 2014
ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to propose the application of a translational paradigm to cop... more ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to propose the application of a translational paradigm to copyright law for a critical reading of its philosophical and historical roots. This is done by crossing epistemologies of copyright law and translation theory. Notions of translation theory, as well as realities of the digital age, destabilise the colonial history and theoretical foundations of copyright law. Furthermore, the network model of information societies clashes with the hierarchical models still prevalent in copyright, while also highlighting the power and wealth disparities between the nations of the world. The act of translating implies a rationality aiming to democratise the world and harmonise its fragmented elements, which can contribute to reforming copyright law by providing an ethical (i.e. translational), global and multidisciplinary perspective. Many legal scholars are attempting to reform copyright law from within, based on a minimalist approach. This contribution questions the validity of the copyright model in the present context of globalisation and interactive digital technologies.
Le présent article traite de la question de la traduction du Coran selon deux perspectives. Dans ... more Le présent article traite de la question de la traduction du Coran selon deux perspectives. Dans une première partie historique, depuis l’aube de l’Islam jusqu’à l’époque contemporaine, il s’agira de mettre au jour les motivations sociopolitiques des traductions du Coran à travers l’histoire ainsi que les grandes lignes de fracture entre ses tenants et ses détracteurs. Une seconde partie sera consacrée au point de vue traductologique, où la représentation de la langue arabe du Coran ainsi que celle de sa traduction seront dégagées du discours principalement jurisprudentiel qui les évoque. Dans ce débat mené à travers les siècles, il apparaît évident que les différentes perspectives sur le traduire du Coran sont également instructives sur la manière de faire face aux défis de notre temps.
This article deals with the issue of Qur’anic translation on two levels. The first part, an historic study starting from the dawn of Islam and reaching contemporary times, will shed some light on the socio-political motivations of different translations of the Qur’an throughout history and present a general outline of the main positions of the opponents and the proponents of Qur’anic translation. A second part will be reserved to the translational point of view, in which a representation of the Arabic language of the Qur’an as well as of that of its translation will be brought out from the mainly jurisprudential discourse that brings them to the forefront. This debate, which has spanned over many centuries, makes it clear that the different approaches to Qur’anic translation can also be of benefit in teaching us how to face the challenges of our time.
This paper provides a methodological and meta-theoretical perspective in establishing the validit... more This paper provides a methodological and meta-theoretical perspective in establishing the validity of interdisciplinarity in social development, and the place of spirituality, ethics and metaphysics in general in such an interdisciplinary dialogue.
Part I provides an overview of the situation of the world today from the perspective of social development by following the evolution of the UN and its main policies and initiatives. By highlighting the role of ideology or when looking at specific issues such as poverty, we establish that the issues of social development are quite complex, and must therefore be addressed from multiple disciplinary angles. What I am proposing is that the paradigm shift from economic and financial aid to social development and human capabilities means that we have to look at those helping as well as those receiving the help as human beings trying to fulfill their humanity -- this can be derived from the UN's most recent approaches and initiatives in tackling issues of social development.
Part II will be a quick discussion about interdisciplinarity, with some hints to barriers and proposed remedies.
And Part III will look at the place of metaphysics and spirituality in scientific discourse.
Presented at conference:
Ethics and Faith in Global Development
Spirituality and Global Ethics
This article starts by providing a bit of background context to better situate Shi’ism and its re... more This article starts by providing a bit of background context to better situate Shi’ism and its relationship to Islam. It will then go on explaining the nuanced use of a number of key terms, including Sufism and 'irfan. Finally, the most important themes of Shi’ite esotericism are presented, based on Shi'ite primary sources, namely the Qur’an and the sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad and the Imams of Shi'ism.
It is my hope that this article will provide a small contribution to help see the very fertile grounds, mostly still unexplored, that Shi’ite esotericism can provide for global ethics.
presented at a conference entitled:
Esoteric Philosophy and Global Ethics -- A Conversation on the Return of Spirituality in the Lifeworld
Globality, Uneven Development, and Ethics of Duty
By reforming copyright law in a way that grants translation rights to the translator, as opposed ... more By reforming copyright law in a way that grants translation rights to the translator, as opposed to the author, translation (and translators) can make significant contributions to social development. Currently, translation rights belong to the author of the original work, who alone can decide whether his work may be translated or not. Reforming copyright law to grant translation rights to the translator instead of the author would decentralize the exclusive control over protected content, and allow for a much less inhibited dissemination of cultural and scientific works between nations. In the information age, the gap between have’s and have-not’s is growing at an alarming rate. The new capital of the developed world is information and knowledge. Power (economic, legal, political…) lies in the hands of those who control the capital. By allowing for information to flow more freely – by reforming copyright law – we are empowering the periphery simply by removing obstacles created by the center. Moreover, the translation activity carries an irreducible ethic, which rests on the recognition of the otherness of the other, and hosting it linguistically. While transforming a work, translation does not efface or replace it; it preserves enough of its original state for it to be recognized as a translation, and breathes a new voice, a new life into it. This translation ethics of the other can be generalized to the entire complexity of human dynamics and its various manifestations, including copyright law…
presented at conference:
Gloablity, Unequal Development and Global Ethics
Theses, M.A. & PhD by Gaafar Sadek
PhD thesis proposal
Defended in 2012
at the School of Translation and Interpretation
at the Uni... more PhD thesis proposal
Defended in 2012
at the School of Translation and Interpretation
at the University of Ottawa
thèse de maîtrise / Masters Thesis. 2008
Dans l'esprit de l'élargissement des horizons de la tr... more thèse de maîtrise / Masters Thesis. 2008
Dans l'esprit de l'élargissement des horizons de la traductologie, la présente thèse propose de faire de la figure du prophète selon la philosophie islamique un archétype de la figure du traducteur, et ce, en essayant de répondre à quatre questions principales: dans quelle mesure le traducteur est-il un messager? Un voyageur? Un interprète? Un auteur? De plus, et afin d'illustrer la pertinence et l'utilité de la traductologie sur le plan sociopolitique, la thèse s'inspire également des principes de l'École de la Tradition dans sa discussion de certains éléments relevant surtout d'enjeux qui découlent de la nature hétéroclite des sociétés modernes.
Papers, conference presentation, etc. by Gaafar Sadek
For the past few decades, translation scholars, who are constantly reminded of the subservience o... more For the past few decades, translation scholars, who are constantly reminded of the subservience of their status and the derivativeness of their work, seem to be expressing a desire, each in their own way, for the emancipation of their discipline from all the figures of authority who have forced translators and translation into second-handedness. Their efforts are concentrated against publishers, the doxa, and of course, the author. Though this may be valid, they seem to have turned a blind eye to a major part of the problem: their own self-image.
The aim of this paper is to propose some elements that could help understand the formation of the translator’s self-image, by providing an original synthesis of the from the works of Jacques Lacan, Boris Sidis and Louis Althusser, with implied undertones from Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida.
In the first part of the paper, we will get acquainted with the Translator’s Charter, which will be our model for the translator’s self-image. In the second part, I will give a very brief historical account of some important moments in the history of translation that cannot go without mention if we want to understand the present. We will then explore the applicability of the mirror-stage, suggestion theory, as well as some elements of Althusser’s thought to the formation of the translator as (social) subject.
This paper merely lays the foundation for a much more serious, but still-to-come, study of the formation of the translator’s self-image.
L’activité traductive au cours de la période abbasside a connu un essor fulgurant. Il s’agit d’un... more L’activité traductive au cours de la période abbasside a connu un essor fulgurant. Il s’agit d’un phénomène qui ne peut être compris que s’il est abordé dans toute sa complexité. Plusieurs études ont déjà porté sur les facteurs économique, historique, politique et culturel. La présente étude offre un survol de la manière dont la traduction à pu servir à une fin politique et ce, en exposant la nature et les composantes particulières de la société abbasside.
The translational activity during the Abbasid reign rose in a dazzling manner. This phenomenon can only be understood if it is studied in all its complexity. Many studies have already dealt with the economic, historical, political and cultural factors involved. This study provides an overview of the manner in which translation was used for political means. This will be done by presenting the nature and particular constituents of the Abbasid society.
presented at conference:
Translation Theories and Practices: East Meets West
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Vancouver, 2008
A quick overview of the different paradigmatic shifts, or “turns”, taken by our young discipline ... more A quick overview of the different paradigmatic shifts, or “turns”, taken by our young discipline will show just how quickly it is ready to change. If this constitutes, in the case of some disciplines, a strength or even a survival mechanism ensuring their sustainability, in the case of translation, this is a sign of instability and weakness. The question is not whether Translation is interdisciplinary, but how should Translation be interdisciplinary. And although it seems to be still too early to answer this question, what is certain is that the interdisciplinarity of Translation will have to be one stemming from its own disciplinary nature, experience and needs in order to be successful. This means there is still much need to define our discipline for ourselves as well as for the outsiders and to ensure that Translation is taken seriously by the academic world as well as by society in general.
presented at:
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Research Methodology in Translation and Interpretation Studies
Concordia, 2010
Translation studies is a young discipline, still trying to define itself. Like many other discipl... more Translation studies is a young discipline, still trying to define itself. Like many other disciplines within Humanities, whether consciously or not, it does at times seem to be imitating natural sciences, in discourse, methodology, as well as behaviour. Perhaps as a sign of an inferiority complex, Translation studies has already had at least three disciplinary ‘turns’, namely, the linguistic turn, the cultural turn, and the sociological turn. In many ways, these turns are akin to the notion of ‘paradigm shift’. This critical paper tries to present some key concepts from the philosophy of science (as presented by Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions) in order to see whether their applicability to the discourse and methodology of Translation studies is desirable. This will be followed by a possible alternative approach from within the philosophy of natural sciences itself (Karl Popper’s falsifiability).
Afin de pouvoir évaluer ou produire une traduction raisonnée d’un discours, il faut prendre le t... more Afin de pouvoir évaluer ou produire une traduction raisonnée d’un discours, il faut prendre le temps de bien analyser les éléments sur lesquels repose son sens. Dans ce qui suit, nous nous proposons de tenter de comprendre le poème Le retour de l’enfant prodigue en étudiant les isotopies que l’on y trouve, surtout si l’on considère celles-ci des unités de traduction.
2004
Selon Averroès, dans le Discours décisif sur l'accord de la religion et de la philosophie, c... more 2004
Selon Averroès, dans le Discours décisif sur l'accord de la religion et de la philosophie, comment convient-il de comprendre le rapport de la philosophie à la théologie? Laquelle de ces deux disciplines à le dernier mot?
2006
survol d'opinions diverses par rapport à la République de Platon:
oeuvre politique:
- Cornfo... more 2006
survol d'opinions diverses par rapport à la République de Platon:
oeuvre politique:
- Cornford, Zeitlin...
- Ryle, Popper...
- Barker
- Randall
oeuvre éthique:
- Jaeger
- Guthrie
- Annas
interprétation idéaliste:
- Nettleship, Friedlander, Levinson
Uploads
Published or Forthcoming by Gaafar Sadek
This article deals with the issue of Qur’anic translation on two levels. The first part, an historic study starting from the dawn of Islam and reaching contemporary times, will shed some light on the socio-political motivations of different translations of the Qur’an throughout history and present a general outline of the main positions of the opponents and the proponents of Qur’anic translation. A second part will be reserved to the translational point of view, in which a representation of the Arabic language of the Qur’an as well as of that of its translation will be brought out from the mainly jurisprudential discourse that brings them to the forefront. This debate, which has spanned over many centuries, makes it clear that the different approaches to Qur’anic translation can also be of benefit in teaching us how to face the challenges of our time.
Part I provides an overview of the situation of the world today from the perspective of social development by following the evolution of the UN and its main policies and initiatives. By highlighting the role of ideology or when looking at specific issues such as poverty, we establish that the issues of social development are quite complex, and must therefore be addressed from multiple disciplinary angles. What I am proposing is that the paradigm shift from economic and financial aid to social development and human capabilities means that we have to look at those helping as well as those receiving the help as human beings trying to fulfill their humanity -- this can be derived from the UN's most recent approaches and initiatives in tackling issues of social development.
Part II will be a quick discussion about interdisciplinarity, with some hints to barriers and proposed remedies.
And Part III will look at the place of metaphysics and spirituality in scientific discourse.
Presented at conference:
Ethics and Faith in Global Development
It is my hope that this article will provide a small contribution to help see the very fertile grounds, mostly still unexplored, that Shi’ite esotericism can provide for global ethics.
presented at a conference entitled:
Esoteric Philosophy and Global Ethics -- A Conversation on the Return of Spirituality in the Lifeworld
presented at conference:
Gloablity, Unequal Development and Global Ethics
Theses, M.A. & PhD by Gaafar Sadek
Defended in 2012
at the School of Translation and Interpretation
at the University of Ottawa
Dans l'esprit de l'élargissement des horizons de la traductologie, la présente thèse propose de faire de la figure du prophète selon la philosophie islamique un archétype de la figure du traducteur, et ce, en essayant de répondre à quatre questions principales: dans quelle mesure le traducteur est-il un messager? Un voyageur? Un interprète? Un auteur? De plus, et afin d'illustrer la pertinence et l'utilité de la traductologie sur le plan sociopolitique, la thèse s'inspire également des principes de l'École de la Tradition dans sa discussion de certains éléments relevant surtout d'enjeux qui découlent de la nature hétéroclite des sociétés modernes.
Papers, conference presentation, etc. by Gaafar Sadek
The aim of this paper is to propose some elements that could help understand the formation of the translator’s self-image, by providing an original synthesis of the from the works of Jacques Lacan, Boris Sidis and Louis Althusser, with implied undertones from Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida.
In the first part of the paper, we will get acquainted with the Translator’s Charter, which will be our model for the translator’s self-image. In the second part, I will give a very brief historical account of some important moments in the history of translation that cannot go without mention if we want to understand the present. We will then explore the applicability of the mirror-stage, suggestion theory, as well as some elements of Althusser’s thought to the formation of the translator as (social) subject.
This paper merely lays the foundation for a much more serious, but still-to-come, study of the formation of the translator’s self-image.
The translational activity during the Abbasid reign rose in a dazzling manner. This phenomenon can only be understood if it is studied in all its complexity. Many studies have already dealt with the economic, historical, political and cultural factors involved. This study provides an overview of the manner in which translation was used for political means. This will be done by presenting the nature and particular constituents of the Abbasid society.
presented at conference:
Translation Theories and Practices: East Meets West
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Vancouver, 2008
presented at:
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Research Methodology in Translation and Interpretation Studies
Concordia, 2010
Selon Averroès, dans le Discours décisif sur l'accord de la religion et de la philosophie, comment convient-il de comprendre le rapport de la philosophie à la théologie? Laquelle de ces deux disciplines à le dernier mot?
survol d'opinions diverses par rapport à la République de Platon:
oeuvre politique:
- Cornford, Zeitlin...
- Ryle, Popper...
- Barker
- Randall
oeuvre éthique:
- Jaeger
- Guthrie
- Annas
interprétation idéaliste:
- Nettleship, Friedlander, Levinson
This article deals with the issue of Qur’anic translation on two levels. The first part, an historic study starting from the dawn of Islam and reaching contemporary times, will shed some light on the socio-political motivations of different translations of the Qur’an throughout history and present a general outline of the main positions of the opponents and the proponents of Qur’anic translation. A second part will be reserved to the translational point of view, in which a representation of the Arabic language of the Qur’an as well as of that of its translation will be brought out from the mainly jurisprudential discourse that brings them to the forefront. This debate, which has spanned over many centuries, makes it clear that the different approaches to Qur’anic translation can also be of benefit in teaching us how to face the challenges of our time.
Part I provides an overview of the situation of the world today from the perspective of social development by following the evolution of the UN and its main policies and initiatives. By highlighting the role of ideology or when looking at specific issues such as poverty, we establish that the issues of social development are quite complex, and must therefore be addressed from multiple disciplinary angles. What I am proposing is that the paradigm shift from economic and financial aid to social development and human capabilities means that we have to look at those helping as well as those receiving the help as human beings trying to fulfill their humanity -- this can be derived from the UN's most recent approaches and initiatives in tackling issues of social development.
Part II will be a quick discussion about interdisciplinarity, with some hints to barriers and proposed remedies.
And Part III will look at the place of metaphysics and spirituality in scientific discourse.
Presented at conference:
Ethics and Faith in Global Development
It is my hope that this article will provide a small contribution to help see the very fertile grounds, mostly still unexplored, that Shi’ite esotericism can provide for global ethics.
presented at a conference entitled:
Esoteric Philosophy and Global Ethics -- A Conversation on the Return of Spirituality in the Lifeworld
presented at conference:
Gloablity, Unequal Development and Global Ethics
Defended in 2012
at the School of Translation and Interpretation
at the University of Ottawa
Dans l'esprit de l'élargissement des horizons de la traductologie, la présente thèse propose de faire de la figure du prophète selon la philosophie islamique un archétype de la figure du traducteur, et ce, en essayant de répondre à quatre questions principales: dans quelle mesure le traducteur est-il un messager? Un voyageur? Un interprète? Un auteur? De plus, et afin d'illustrer la pertinence et l'utilité de la traductologie sur le plan sociopolitique, la thèse s'inspire également des principes de l'École de la Tradition dans sa discussion de certains éléments relevant surtout d'enjeux qui découlent de la nature hétéroclite des sociétés modernes.
The aim of this paper is to propose some elements that could help understand the formation of the translator’s self-image, by providing an original synthesis of the from the works of Jacques Lacan, Boris Sidis and Louis Althusser, with implied undertones from Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida.
In the first part of the paper, we will get acquainted with the Translator’s Charter, which will be our model for the translator’s self-image. In the second part, I will give a very brief historical account of some important moments in the history of translation that cannot go without mention if we want to understand the present. We will then explore the applicability of the mirror-stage, suggestion theory, as well as some elements of Althusser’s thought to the formation of the translator as (social) subject.
This paper merely lays the foundation for a much more serious, but still-to-come, study of the formation of the translator’s self-image.
The translational activity during the Abbasid reign rose in a dazzling manner. This phenomenon can only be understood if it is studied in all its complexity. Many studies have already dealt with the economic, historical, political and cultural factors involved. This study provides an overview of the manner in which translation was used for political means. This will be done by presenting the nature and particular constituents of the Abbasid society.
presented at conference:
Translation Theories and Practices: East Meets West
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Vancouver, 2008
presented at:
Canadian Association for Translation Studies
Research Methodology in Translation and Interpretation Studies
Concordia, 2010
Selon Averroès, dans le Discours décisif sur l'accord de la religion et de la philosophie, comment convient-il de comprendre le rapport de la philosophie à la théologie? Laquelle de ces deux disciplines à le dernier mot?
survol d'opinions diverses par rapport à la République de Platon:
oeuvre politique:
- Cornford, Zeitlin...
- Ryle, Popper...
- Barker
- Randall
oeuvre éthique:
- Jaeger
- Guthrie
- Annas
interprétation idéaliste:
- Nettleship, Friedlander, Levinson
- Distinction entre logique générale et logique transcendantale
- rôle joué par la forme de l'intuition pure dans cette distinction
- légitimité de l'application des concepts purs de l'entendement à des entités non spatio-temporelles
- distinction entre connaître et penser
La première partie du travail est une brève introduction de quelques points de repère pour situer Alice James. La deuxième partie du travail consiste principalement en une série de citations extraites du Journal d’Alice. Ces citations ont la double fonction de nous faire connaître la femme et les difficultés qu’elles a dû surmonter au cours de sa vie – de sa propre plume – ainsi que servir d’exemples pour illustrer le genre de manipulation que l’on fera du texte d’Alice pour le rendre compatible aux idéaux du discours féministe. C’est en raison de ce dernier point que tous les passages cités dans cette partie du travail seront en anglais, la langue de rédaction du Journal.
La troisième partie se concentre sur la féminisation d’Alice James, pour en faire une représentante de la femme victimisée, opprimée, empêchée et rendue malade par des frères et une société misogynes. L’illustration de cette opération se fera en revisitant certains des passages présentés dans la première partie, mais cette fois, dans leur traduction française par Marie Tadié.
Entre la deuxième et la troisième partie, nous mentionnerons au passage, entre parenthèses, comment le choix des éditeurs qui produisaient le discours autour d’Alice James correspondait à la doxa et les représentations culturelles de la femme au moment respectif de publication.
-Est-ce possible de bâtir une théorie réaliste de la connaissance?
- Dieu existe-t-il et comment le prouver?
- Quelle est la nature des idées?
- A-t-on un libre arbitre?
- Quelle est la relation entre le corps et l'esprit?
- La physique se réduit-elle à l'étendue, la figure et le mouvement?
- Dieu est-il soumis aux contraintes de certaines valeurs, ou en est-il l'auteur et la source?
- Sommes nous libres?
- L' empirisme mène-t-il à l'idéalisme?
- La question de la substance
- Y a-t-il une différence entre les qualités premières et les qualités secondes?
- Si on voulait attaquer le système de Berkeley, quels éléments faudrait-il attaquer?