Doha, 15 March 2014: The Translation and Interpreting Institute of Hamad bin Khalifa University and Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, both members of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, have just announced keynote addresses, the workshops, panels, and seminars for the Fifth Annual Translation Conference.  The conference will attract a wide range of audiences, and will take place at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC). Moroccan scholar, Dr Abdeslam Benabdelali, will present the first keynote address titled "Translation and Identity", and Dr. Barbara Michalak-Pikulska will give the second keynote lecture titled "Arab Literature through Polish Eyes." The conference will be a valuable platform for the exploration of theoretical and literary translation discussions.

The theme of the Fifth Annual Translation Conference is "Global Translation Flows", and it focuses on some of the theoretical and cultural concepts related to translation. The conference has attracted both local and international scholars specializing in Translation Studies with participants coming from UAE, Egypt, Australia, Oman, Algeria, Macau, the United States, Libya, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Qatar. These panellists will present on various topics, ranging from the influence of Morisco culture and language on Moroccan society, to the translation of the Syrian humanitarian crisis in English and American newspapers, and even the translation of advertisements from English into Arabic and the globalization of the flow of news in the GCC. 

The graduate students of the Master in Translation Studies program at the Translation and Interpreting Institute will be also presenting their graduation projects in one of the panels.

In an effort to emphasize the crucial link between theory and practice, the conference features professional training workshops in addition to scholarly presentations. Major experts in the field will lead workshops on medical translation, media translation, simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting, and the translation of political discourse. Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing will also conduct two workshops on literary translation, led jointly by experienced literary translators and prominent authors. Some workshops will combine theoretical and practical approaches. For instance, "An Introduction to Simultaneous Interpreting" will explore the main modes of interpreting, highlighting their common features, problems and challenges, as well as provide participants with booth training.

Space is limited and early registration is encouraged through www.tii.qa/page?a=354&lang=en-CA#Interpreting.

A new component in this year's conference is the seminars which will function as a connecting point between the professional and academic fields offered by international and local translation experts.

The keynote addresses, panels, workshops, and seminars are open to the public. There are no fees associated with the conference. 

About The Translation and Interpreting Institute 
The Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) is part of Hamad bin Khalifa University. Founded with a remit to build capacity in Qatar and the region and to function as a physical and virtual space within which sophisticated translator and interpreter education, high-level training in a range of languages, and quality translation and interpreting services are delivered to the highest international standards, TII also provides a platform for conducting cutting edge research in the field and is committed to fostering an environment that is supportive of cultural exchange and scholarly excellence.

Led by a distinguished international team of faculty and staff, TII consists of a Postgraduate Studies section, a Research Center, a Language Center and a Professional Services section. It organizes a wide range of international and local events throughout the year, many of which are open to the public.

About Hamad bin Khalifa University
Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is an emerging research university building upon unique collaborations with local and international partners. Located in Education City, HBKU seeks to provide unparalleled opportunities for scholarship, teaching, discovery, and learning for all of its students through an array of interdisciplinary programs.

HBKU's partners are Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar, HEC Paris in Qatar, and University College London Qatar.

© Press Release 2014