Sharjah24: The growing demand for bilingual titles where one story is told side-by-side in two languages is evident at the ongoing 41st Sharjah International Book Fair, where several publishers are showcasing a range of exciting dual language books in various genres including children’s books, short stories, poetry and even rare coffee table books.
Silvia Vassena, International Publishing Consultant for Milano, is showcasing several bi-language children’s titles in English and Italian, including Green Flower, an endearing story about friendship. She said: “Readers at SIBF have expressed interest in reading this book in English and Arabic and our title, I Love You Prune Tree, will also soon be printed in Italian and Arabic.”
While printing dual language books is a challenging task for publishers, it is a great way to ensure that children growing up away from their homeland remain rooted to their respective cultures by reading in their own mother tongue.
The National Trust of India has also brought some interesting bi-lingual children’s books to SIBF this year. “India’s National Education Policy lays emphasis on inculcating the reading habit in one’s mother tongue. Quite often, quality books are available only in English, which is why we are focusing on producing bilingual works to enrich the reading habits of a wider audience,” said Twijendra Kumar, Assistant Editor, National Trust of India.
Idris Mears, Owner Blackstone & Holywell, a regular to the annual SIBF for the past 20 years, believes dual language books are becoming popular because people are serious about learning both Arabic and English as languages. “Books in two languages are very useful especially when students are eager to learn or improve their knowledge of Arabic.”
Dual books of one of Urdu’s greatest poets - Allama Iqbal - are available at the Blackstone & Holywell stand. “There are certain texts people can’t really appreciate unless they get it in the original language. Iqbal in English is not the same as Iqbal in Urdu,” Mears added.
Attending SIBF for the first time this year, Mohammad Reza Anvar, owner of San Francisco based Anis Press, which concentrates mainly on antiquarian rare books or First Editions has a fascinating coffee table book - which is written in four languages. “Before the creation of photography many different French artists and orientalists wanted to preserve their art, mainly Arabic art. This Third Edition is in English, Arabic, Persian as well as French. The descriptions are also given in all four languages.”
Preserved between the exquisitely crafted pages of this photo book are motifs, miniatures and decorative art images from Oriental and Middle Eastern countries. Reza believes these could be an invaluable source of inspiration for architects, interior designers, painters and graphic artists interested in creating original work using traditional designs.
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