Translating Emirati Theater: A Study of Two Plays of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi

Abstract

The emergence of the theatrical movement in the United Arab Emirates began as a result of the development and maturity of culture as well as the spread of education. In particular, the Emirate of Sharjah is well-known for its highly developed theater, thanks to the leadership of His Highness Dr. Sheik Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. This thesis investigates the neglected genre of theatrical texts in translation studies and available methodologies and approaches to translate such texts. It also sheds light on whether the translation would appear literal or free with respect to gender, period in which the play was produced, and linguistic factors. It tackles the relation between text and performance and the apparent lack of theoretical input from mainstream translation studies. The thesis takes into consideration the loss through translation that might occur in the cultural rendering of a theatrical text that consists of more than one aspect, such as sign systems, syntax, pitch, lyrics, poetry, performance and stage directions. This is demonstrated through the analysis of two plays written by His Highness Dr. Al Qasimi: Holaku's Return and its available English translation and Nimrod and proposed ways of rendering it into English