Reconceptualizing the foreignizing and domesticating literary translation of the Arabculture(s)

Abstract This paper pursues a two — fold approach to reconceptualize the foreignizing and domesticating literary translation of Arab culture(s). First, it intends to conduct a chronological study that spans a vast historical period within translation studies to foster a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of both strategies across several significant eras and areas. It addresses questions such as when, where, how , and why these strategies have been utilized and invoked in both Western and Eastern traditions. It concludes that these strategies are viewed as acts fundamental to the translation process, aiming to bridge linguistic, constitutive, communicative, cultural, and intercultural gaps between the source and target texts/cultures, guided by prevailing approaches, theories, and trends in translation, literature, language, communication, culture, etc., and for achieving specific purposes (religious, political, colonial, humanistic, etc.). Based on insights from this historical analysis, the paper endeavors to establish theoretical foundations for approaching the literary translation of Arab culture(s), emphasizing the increasing necessity for collaboration across the humanities and social sciences. It advocates reimagining these epistemological shifts in this reconceptualization by embracing a growing emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach. Disciplines such as linguistics, communication studies, cultural studies, philosophy, history, and literature can all enhance our understanding of the complex processes involved in the transmission and dissemination of Arab culture(s). Furthermore, the paper’s chronological grounding challenges the notion that translation studies are solely a Western domain and underscores the importance of foregrounding the Global South within this field.