TART Bites Episode 10: Interview with Nema Alaraby
Exploring the World of Literary Translation with Nema Alaraby
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I don't think it’s possible [to be replaced by machines]. For literary translation, for example, where you just need human creativity. And you can never find this creativity in machine translation.
– Nema Alaraby
Key Takeaways:
- 00:55 – Nema’s journey into English-Arabic literary translation. From the vibrant streets of Egypt to the bustling streets of London.
- 01:54 – Diving into the past: Nema’s trickiest project so far. Translating ancient medical texts from the 10th century.
- 04:33 – Falling in love with the beauty of Arabic. Nema shares how her first job unexpectedly sparked her passion for translation.
- 07:22 – The nuance of Arabic. Bouchra and Nema reflect on how translation is more than just converting words. It requires a deep appreciation and understanding of the region’s history.
- 08:19 – Translating across the spectrum. Nema talks about why she enjoys working on medical surveys as much as creative literature.
- 10:12 – Advice for aspiring translators: Nema shares how to build experience and confidence in the field.
- 12:14 – Will machine translation replace humans? In short: no. Bouchra and Nema unpack why.
- 17:26 – Translation tools and courses: what helps, what doesn’t.
- 19:20 – Comfort in community: Nema talks about how having a translation community uplifts and supports her
Tap into Episode 10 and follow Nema Alaraby through her career in translation. Tips, tricks, and more.
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