The Impact of Orientalism on Translation Movement In the Light of Edward Said's Revolutionary Orientalism

Abstract

The present study intends to survey the interdependent relationship between phenomenon of Orientalism, which has aroused strong argument among its opponents and proponents and translation movement. Orientalism is one of the most controversial issues of political studies, whose roots are dated many centuries ago. Besides, its impact is obviously observed as a result of political instability in the world. Orientalism as Edward Said defines is " the corporate institution for dealing with the orient - dealing with it by making statements about it, authorizing views of it, describing it, by teaching it, settling it, ruling over it, in short Orient as a western style for dominating, restricting and having authority over the orient". (Edward Said, Orientalism , 2003, P. 3). Orientalism passed through various phases, such as political, colonial, military, scientific and religious phases, which in turn have influence on oriental studies and translation, and these phases will be tackled in the course of the study. The first Orientalists were the 19th century scholars who translated the writings of the "Orient" into English, based on the assumption that a truly effective colonial conquest requires the knowledge of the conquered people. Traces of Orientalism can be found in the current western portrayal of the Arab cultures. The portrayal of the Arabs as irrational, menacing, untrustworthy, anti-western and dishonest is the foundation for both the ideologies and policies developed by the "Occident ". The discourse and visual imagery of Orientalism is laced with notions of power and superiority, formulated initially to facilitate a colonising mission on the part of the West throughout a wide variety of discourses and policies including translation. Translation is a tool that had a tremendous effect on cultural, social, and political lives of the people. Like translation, Orientalism sought pure knowledge, and as Dr. Helmi Ali Marzouk states in his book " Aspects of Arab Nation's Issues 'that we do not deny the efforts of honest Orientalists and their contributions to Arabic and Islamic studies, however, we deny their deviations from pure scientific research to colonial aims and being fanatic to western beliefs and civilization. In fact, as times passed, the idea of knowledge as power occupied the minds of the Orientalists and policy makers. Therefore, colonialism begins to change gradually from the colonisation of regions to that of culture and thought, the one we are witnessing its impact in the world policy. At the same time, the danger of translation lies not merely on its cultural impact, but it surpasses them to political and social objectives.