DEARBORN – It's no secret that many people became interested in studying Arabic after 9/11. But while awareness of the language seems to be at an all time high, fields of endeavor related to it, particularly translation into English, suffer from a lack of professional standards. A new organization to create greater professionalism in translation and other work with the language has just been established locally.

Kenneth K. Ayouby, a long time local educator, is responsible for coming up with the idea of the American Society of Arabic Practitioners and Translators (ASAPT), an organization seeking to establish professional standards in high Arabic-use fields.

Ayouby teaches at the Arabic translation program at Marygrove College, an institution which also fosters ASAPT. He said that ASAPT would not be an ethnic or business organization, but a "professional-academic one."

"After 9/11, Arabic became a very important language," said Ayouby, "As a result, the U.S. needs specialists in this area. "Sadly, every Tom, Dick and Harry is offering themselves up as specialists.

"This organization seeks to group together people who are highly competent in this field in both English and Arabic. There are criteria for membership, such as having certain degrees.

We're hoping to have certification in the future." Ayouby said that he hoped ASAPT would "establish a benchmark by which we can know exactly who can be called an expert." Although the organization is still only a few weeks old and busy establishing its organizational structure, it is planning to hold a conference within the year, according to newly elected President Fatima Aidibi.

Aidibi runs her own translation firm, Corporate Translation Services. Although the conference location has not been set yet, Aidibi already has an idea of what people can expect when they come. "We might bring in speakers, certified translators or teachers of Arabic, to come in and give presentations about their field. We'll try to bring in people from around the nation," she said. But att this early point in the game, the budding professional group is focused on working on establishing institutional affiliations and building relationships with fostering organizations.



Source: The Arab American News