Armenian-Arabic Translation Interactions in Syria in the Context of Cultural Identity, Historical Memory and Dialogue

Abstract

As a multiethnic and multicultural country, Syria has historically served as an important environment for the coexistence of the Armenian and Arab peoples. Diaspora communities formed in the post-genocide years, particularly in Syria, had not only to survive but also to preserve their cultural identity and their desire for dialogue. Therefore, translation became a key tool, creating a space for communication and self-expression across languages. The dialogue between Armenian and Arab writers, reflected in numerous translations, contributed to mutual understanding, the reassessment of historical memory, and the deepening of cultural contacts. The aim of this study is to systematize, propose a periodization of, and present the prerequisites for the prosperity and rise of translated literature from Armenian into Arabic and from Arabic into Armenian in Syria, particularly during the 1970s–1990s, focusing on its historical, cultural, and political dimensions. In addressing this topic, we seek to understand how Armenian–Arabic translation interactions have influenced the development of Armenian–Arabic social life and political thought. The study also seeks to highlight the role of Armenian–Arabic translation literature in Armenian–Syrian relations, arguing that it has played an important role in establishing dialogue between the two peoples and has further expanded Armenian–Arabic relations.