The dynamics of translation from and into Arabic in the Arab world: bibliometric analysis of the Index Translationum UNESCO database (1979–2012)

Abstract

Abstract This bibliometric study aims to analyze the translated literature in the Arab nations that exhibit the highest levels of dynamism spanning from 1979–2012, using the Index Translationum database. Furthermore, it aims to determine the status of the Arabic language in the translation industry by identifying the most frequently translated Arabic works into other languages and the languages with the highest number of translations into Arabic. The study inclusion criteria consider several factors: the source language (Arabic), the target language (Arabic), the Arab nations included in The Index Translationum, and the foreign languages that are most frequently translated to and from Arabic. It is found that despite the rich history and extensive usage of the Arabic language in the Middle East and North Africa, it is ranked 29th among the top 50 languages for translated literature. However, it is noted that the Index, which makes it possible to observe the mapping of translation in the Arab world in accordance with specific parameters, provides no statistics on certain Arab countries beyond 2012. Therefore, the Index does not provide up-to-date information. Further, the ranking of Arab countries in the Index does not seem to align with the official data of certain countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria.