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Attendees included Ali Al-Mughni, Vice Chairman of the Club, and several cultural figures and researchers in translation and culture. The session began with a recorded message from Dr Omar Abdulaziz, welcoming the guests and discussing his long-standing friendship with Professor Gregory, emphasising Gregory's love for Arab culture and his commitment to translating Arabic thought directly from the language.
Dr Abdulaziz talked about his long relationship with Professor Gregory, marked by continuous discussions on culture, society, and the representations of the "other" in both Arab and Romanian cultures, particularly regarding popular tales and dialects. He noted that some of Gregory's most famous translations include the Quran into Romanian, as well as works like "Mishkat al-Anwar" by Al-Ghazali and "Hayy ibn Yaqzan" by Ibn Tufail.
Dr Abdulaziz raised several issues about Gregory's experience with Arabic translation, starting with why a Romanian boy from the countryside became interested in the Arabic language at the end of the last century. They discussed the relationship between translation and culture, the matter of Arabic dialects in translation, and the influence of Arab culture on the Romanian language.
Gregory shared his story about his relationship with the Arabic language, recalling how, as a young man in a remote Romanian village, he was captivated by Arabic radio broadcasts. This interest led him to study Arabic in high school and later specialize in it at university. His work in Libya and Iraq further refined his Arabic skills, where he began translating between Romanian and Arabic.
He emphasized that a translator must have a deep understanding of the culture of the language they are translating from; otherwise, they risk significant errors. Language carries culture, and without grasping the cultural meanings behind words, one may only understand the dictionary definitions, which often fall short.
Gregory noted that Arabic dialects are integral to the Arabic language and cultural fabric, appearing in both spoken and written texts. He currently leads an organization for Arabic dialects at the European level, promoting the academic study of languages, including Arabic.
He explained that interest in the Arabic language in Romania began in the 1950s, within the context of the Non-Aligned Movement, and grew after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Arabic language department at Bucharest University has since become one of the most successful departments.
Gregory pointed out that no linguistic system in the world is unaffected by Arabic, noting that Romanian has absorbed Arabic terms due to Ottoman presence for over five centuries, citing examples like "amanah" and "bazar." He also mentioned the impact of European translations of Arabic philosophy and thought on the Romanian language.
Finally, he described how Arabs are viewed in Romanian popular imagination, often reminiscent of the tales from "One Thousand and One Nights," embodying beauty, love, music, gardens, and beautiful palaces, creating a positive and enchanting image.
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