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Kalima publishes George Eliot’s ’Middlemarch’ |
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Kalima, the translation project of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), published the Arabic translation of George Eliot’s "Middlemarch". The famous English novelist’s book is considered to be one of the most important masterpieces of English literature. "Middlemarch" was selected by Encyclopaedia Britannica as being amongst the greatest Western works to be produced since the time of the ancient Greeks. The novel is one of the most important major works to have appeared in sixty volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is featured in the 46th volume of both the second and the last editions, published in 1990. "Middlemarch" depicts English society life in the early nineteenth century, and portrays the social, economic and political matters that affected all the classes at the time. Alongside this, the book does not neglect the impact that scientific developments and modern discoveries had upon this society. One of the most impressive aspects of the novel is the way in which Eliot has been able to delve into the depths of the human soul. She successfully depicts emotional feelings and pain, and manages to give her characters unique physical, psychological and intellectual dimensions. She is able to completely immerse readers into the world she has created in her novel, making them feel that they are part of the reality that her characters are living. She makes readers believe that they are actually walking alongside the characters, sharing in their feelings and embracing their ideas. Eliot’s real name is Mary Anne Evans (1819 - 1880). It is said that she used a male pen name (George Eliot) so that her works would be taken more seriously. In 1980, on the centenary of her death, a memorial stone was established for her in Poets’ Corner at Westminster Abbey. There are also a multitude of official buildings in England that have been named after her. The novel was translated by Dr. Hayan Jumaa Al-Saei. Born in Deir ez-Zur in Syria in 1960, Saei completed his schooling with honours. He suffered from a sight disability, but this only served to increase his will and resolve to achieve success and excellence in his chosen field. He joined the University of Damascus, where he acquired a bachelor’s degree in English and literature, and then a diploma in literary studies and literary criticism. For four years Saei was a lecturer at the University of Damascus. He then travelled to Great Britain to pursue his studies. He earned a Shakespeare Studies Diploma from the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham. He also acquired a Ph.D. from the University of London. The theme of his doctorate was the translation of Shakespearian plays into Arabic. He now works in the United Kingdom where he teaches literary criticism and translation.
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