As part of the events of the Second Honorary Professors Forum at the University of Jordan, the School of Foreign Languages hosted Honorary Professor Yasir Suleiman from the University of Cambridge, who delivered two distinguished lectures in English on two highly significant and timely topics in linguistic and translation studies.
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Professor Suleiman delivered a valuable lecture entitled:
“Translating the Bible into Arabic: The Clash of Missionaries”, in which he addressed the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of the translation of the Bible into Arabic, highlighting the deep implications of the rivalry among missionaries. His lecture offered a distinctive perspective on translation as a tool of cultural and religious influence and power.
On Monday, June 2, 2025, he conducted an interactive seminar entitled:
“Language and the Diaspora”, in which he explored the complex definition of “Diaspora”, and the intersections between language and identity within diasporic contexts, focusing on the challenges faced by migrant communities in maintaining their mother tongues, along with the resulting psychological, social, and cultural transformations.
The lectures were marked by a vibrant atmosphere of fruitful discussion and intellectual engagement, as the topics resonated strongly with contemporary issues related to language, identity, and translation in today’s world. Furthermore, they represented a valuable addition to the academic field of theschool, underscoring the importance of intercultural knowledge exchange and the role of language in shaping and reflecting the richness of human experience.