Making and remaking history: a foreignized thick translation of T.E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom into Arabic

Abstract

This thesis explores the interrelationship between translation and (re)writing history through a critical analysis of the Arabic translations of Thomas Edward Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom (SPoW). It investigates how translation mediates historical narratives and shapes ideological perspectives, particularly in politically and culturally sensitive contexts.Focusing on four Arabic translations published across distinct historical periods since the Arab Revolt (1916-1918), the study conducts a comparative qualitative analysis of selected translation extracts. It investigates the translation strategies employed in rendering SPoW as a historical autobiography, uncovering patterns of omission, ideological manipulation, and shift in representation. To systematically analyze these strategies, the study introduces the foreignized thick translation model, a theoretical framework that emphasizes preserving the cultural and historical aspects of the source text while providing contextual support for the target readership.Findings reveal that each Arabic translation reflects the socio-political environment of its time, influencing the portrayal of Lawrence and key historical narratives. By applying the foreignized thick translation model, this thesis highlights the mechanisms through which translation contributes to historical reinterpretation and ideological framing. Furthermore, my own practice-based translation - offering a revised version of selected chapters - demonstrates the applicability of the proposed model, though it also raises questions about subjectivity in translation.This research contributes to translation studies by advancing a novel methodological approach to translating historical and politically charged texts. It emphasizes the role of translation as a historicizing act, shaping historical memory and cross-cultural understanding.

Thesis embargoed until 31 July 2030.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Mutah University
Supervisor	Abdel-Wahab Khalifa (Supervisor), Sarah Eardley-Weaver (Supervisor) & Neil Sadler (Supervisor)