Launch of a Series of Specialized Translation Dialogues at Ahvaz BookCity:

“What Makes a Superior Translation?” — A Talk by Dr. Abbas Emam

The first session in Ahvaz BookCity’s new series on translation was held on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 2025, featuring Dr. Abbas Emam — translator, researcher, and faculty member at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz — and hosted by Jalil Jafari. The discussion focused on how to identify an “outstanding translation,” the relationship between direct and indirect translation, and how a translator’s approach shapes the final quality of a text.

The event drew a wide audience of translation students, translators, and enthusiasts of language and literature. Dr. Emam emphasized the importance of linguistic precision, tonal consistency, fidelity to the source text, and the need to avoid haste in the translation process. He noted that selecting the best translation among multiple versions depends on a systematic evaluation of semantic accuracy, fluency of prose, and stylistic coherence.

During the open discussion, participants raised questions about the boundaries between translation and editing, the influence of the translator’s personal style, and the value of interlingual translation. The conversation evolved into a broader reflection on the current state of translation in Iran.

According to the organizers, “What Makes a Superior Translation?” marks the beginning of a series of specialized sessions on translation at Ahvaz BookCity, which will continue in the coming months with contributions from distinguished translators and scholars.