Doha, Qatar: Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad, the Official Spokesperson and Media Advisor for the 10th Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, announced that applications and nominations for the prestigious award will open on March 1 and continue until May 31, 2024.
Nomination forms can be accessed through the official website: https://www.hta.qa
Al Fayyad also disclosed that this year's edition has included French as a primary language alongside English, emphasizing the recognition of outstanding single books. French was previously featured as a main language in 2017.
The categories for this year's award encompass translations of single books from Arabic into French, French into Arabic, Arabic into English, and English into Arabic.
Highlighting the evolution of the award since its inception in 2015, Al Fayyad emphasized its status as the foremost international translation award to and from Arabic, covering over 29 sub-languages and seven primary languages, in addition to English.
She further detailed that the selection process is based on international translation studies and encompasses monitoring translation activities across numerous countries. Each year, two main languages are selected, with cash prizes totaling USD 200,000 awarded to the winners.
In a new development for this year, achievement prizes will be awarded for translations between Arabic and four additional languages: Balochi, Tatar, Hungarian, and Yoruba, with each category offering a prize of USD 100,000.
The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding aims to honor translators and recognize their contributions to fostering friendship and cooperation among people and nations worldwide. It seeks to promote excellence, creativity, and adherence to the highest ethical standards, while championing values of diversity, pluralism, and openness.
