Ilyas Yesenberlin deserves a Nobel Prize in literature, translator Mohamed Riad
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
Candidate of Philological Sciences, a translator, head of the Department of Russian Language at t Foreign Languages faculty of Aswan University, Mohamed Riad in an interview to El.kz news agency told how he got acquainted with Kazakh literature and what inspired him to translate Kazakh books into Arabic, what difficulties he faces and who in his opinion deserves the Nobel Prize in literature among Kazakh writers.
— How did your acquaintance with Kazakh literature begin? And what inspired you to translate Kazakh books into Arabic?
"I started studying the works of great poets and writers, and my inspiration to translate them came from the desire to showcase the richness and uniqueness of Kazakh culture to the Arab world, as well as to strengthen cultural ties between our nations",
— What qualities does Kazakh literature cultivate in people?
Kazakh literature fosters qualities such as love for the homeland and national pride, and also contributes to the development of critical thinking, empathy, and spiritual values. It shapes patriotic consciousness, teaches respect for elders, hospitality, and tolerance, and also encourages harmony with nature.
— In your opinion, how can we raise a generation that loves to read, especially in an era dominated by short video formats?
Technology is all around us, we can't avoid it. Instead, we have to use it in order to achieve our goals. Artificial intelligence is an educational tool, and technological resources can improve the effectiveness of reading.
• Audiobooks: While driving a car or even before sleep, audiobooks can be a great option; they develop listening skills.
• Interactive apps: There are many apps offering interactive stories, reading quizzes, and tasks that encourage children to read in a modern way.
• Digital reading communities: We can encourage our children to join online book-discussion groups, which boosts their interest and makes reading a social experience.
In conclusion, reading in the age of digital entertainment is a necessity for healthy intellectual development. By working together, teachers and parents can return the future generation to the depth of the written word, and to build the future that does not merely consume knowledge, but creates it.
— What does a person and society lose if they stop reading books?
If people stop reading books, it may lead to many negative consequences:
1. People’s knowledge becomes limited; they cannot learn new things or gain diverse information.
2. Human progress slows down, as books are one of the main sources of information and knowledge.
3. A decline in intellectual abilities, because reading develops imagination and thinking.
4. An inability to critically assess information presented in the media and other sources, since reading helps build analytical and critical thinking skills used in daily life.
5. Loss of cultural heritage, because books are a key source of culture and history.
6. A decrease in vocabulary, because reading expands lexical knowledge and grammatical competence.
— Do Kazakh writers deserve the Nobel Prize in Literature?
Although no Kazakh writer has yet been awarded the prize, there is hope that their work will be recognized by the international community in the future. The decision is made by the Nobel Committee, which considers the writer’s overall contribution to world literature. Many experts believe that Kazakh literature deserves global recognition.
— What difficulties do you have when translating from Kazakh into Arabic?
I translate Kazakh works from Russian into Arabic, as I do not know the Kazakh language. Russian helps widely spread Kazakh literature.
I work not from the original text but from its translation, so the process becomes easier. However, the inherent difficulties of Arabic and Russian still remain, especially regarding linguistic structures and other well-known complexities of literary translation.
— How is Kazakh literature perceived by Arab readers?
I translated Ilyas Yesenberlin’s trilogy «Nomads», which was warmly received by readers. Through it, the Arab audience became acquainted with the customs and traditions of the Kazakh people, their love of freedom, and their readiness to defend it until the last breath.
— What, in your opinion, unites the Arab and Kazakh mentalities?
We are united by Islamic customs and religious thinking, which always strives for justice, freedom, love, respect for elders, compassion for the weak, generosity, tolerance, respect for the rights of others, harmonious living, and achieving well-being for family and society.
— In recent years, Kazakhstan has been actively developing cultural diplomacy. Kazakhstan and Arab countries signed the agreements on translating Kazakh literature into Arabic. Do you participate in these initiatives?
Of course, the former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Arab Republic of Egypt Aryn Berik, commissioned me to translate Nomads, and he was extremely interested in the project. Later, when he became Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, he asked me to translate Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Book 'Words about Father'. It is a very insightful book, and I recommend every Kazakh to read it, as it teaches how a person can overcome difficulties and achieve great heights through hard work and dedication. The book was published in Saudi Arabia.
Then, the Ambassador Arman Issagaliyev commissioned me to translate “The Path of Abai”, but I did not finish it.
— Is there a book you would like to translate but have not yet translated?
Yes, I would like to translate Ilyas Yesenberlin’s "The Golden Horde", and I hope that through your platform we can deliver this message to Kazakh officials with a request to fund the translation of this important book into Arabic. If I were to award the Nobel Prize, I would give it to Abai , Mukhtar Auezov, and Ilyas Yesenberlin.
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