The Acting President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Mousa Rababah, opened the First International Conference “Languages and Translation: Between Tradition and Modernity.” The event was organized by the Departments of Arabic Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Semitic and Oriental Languages, Modern Languages, and Translation at the Faculty of Arts.
In his opening speech at the conference, Rababah welcomed the participants, stressing that Yarmouk University will never hesitate to fulfill its cultural and enlightening role in seeking to gain and share human knowledge and sciences.
He added that holding this conference shows a clear interest in languages and translation, which helps civilizations interact. He pointed out that translation has become an essential form of cultural exchange, opening up to others to understand them and their world and knowledge. It also plays an important role in our daily lives, as it can cross geographical borders and reach the culture and knowledge of others. A translator is not just a mediator dealing with language systems, but a cultural mediator.
Rababah stressed the importance of understanding our own language to realize the value of other languages, which contribute actively to knowledge and the human sciences, and help build human culture through translation and its tools. He also emphasized the important role of careful and accurate translation in the age of digitalization and artificial intelligence.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Mohammad Al-Anaqreh, pointed out that this conference brings together a group of researchers, scholars, and practitioners in languages and translation. It aims to make high-level scientific dialogue a bridge between the glorious past and the renewed present, and between strong roots and the wide horizons of the future.
He affirmed that this conference was held to explore the strong relationship between tradition and modernity, and to highlight key issues in modern linguistics, including developments in phonetics and semantics, language diversity, innovations in dictionary-making, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping languages, literature, and translation.
Al-Anaqreh stated that the idea of this conference stems from the Faculty’s belief that tradition does not mean rigidity, and modernity does not mean detachment from one’s roots. He explained that tradition provides society with stability, while modernity gives it the ability to renew and create.
Dr. Ayman Shahda Fareh from the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, delivered a speech on behalf of the participants. In his speech, he praised Yarmouk University for organizing this conference, which provided a platform bringing together researchers, academics, and practitioners to discuss contemporary issues and recent developments in linguistic, literary, and translation studies.
He pointed out that Yarmouk University has always played a central role in advancing education and scientific research in our region. He noted that, amid the conflicts affecting the area, language goes beyond mere communication and becomes a battlefield in itself. He added that translators and linguists face many challenges, especially as language effectively contributes to shaping narratives, forming understanding, and driving responses.
The conference hosts 40 researchers presenting 38 scientific papers that cover its various themes.
