> > By Edward Said...
>
>> neither
> Adonis nor Darwish actually exists in anything like a comprehensive
>>decent English translation. As for Qabbani, and
> others of his stature, he is simply not known, nor is there any
>immediate likelihood of forthcoming translations on an
> > adequate scale, done by first-class translators and publishing
>houses. Whatever exists is intermittent, spotty, uneven
> > and, as in Mahfouz's case, seems to supply a momentary albeit
>steady and appreciative demand. Youssef Chahine,
> > for instance, has acquired the status of a master but his films
are
>routinely unexhibited in theaters in London or New
>> York. What we need is an immediately available infusion of
>>contemporary Arabic cultural production in the
> English-speaking world (now at the centre of the world cultural
>debate), and that simply is not there. The idea of an
> > integral library in English of Arabic works is simply unthinkable
>in the present political and cultural climate, where
>> Arabs are either viewed as a problem, or as possible candidates
for
>a dubious "peace process."
>Perhaps Said could spend some time translating things?
>It would seem to be the natural thing to do if one is bemoaning the
>absence of good translations...
>Brad DeLong
well, literary theorists, especially of Said variety, write and think
sophisticatedly...
Mine
