Writing back between resistance and resilience in Leila aboulela's the translator

Abstract EN

Oscillating between resistance and resilience, Leila Aboulela's the translator (1999) seeks to initiate a cross-cultural dialogue without compromising the right to self-representation.

the novel adopts the postcolonial strategies of resistance and writing back to the hegemonic discourse about Arabs and Muslims.

in rather a mild tone, however, Aboulela engages in a cultural dialogue between the West and the East.

moreover, the translator adapts English so as to suit the cultural context in which it is employed.

this paper aims to spot light on the erroneous conceptualisation of Islam and Muslims in the academic Western discourse.

through a brief analysis of the translator within the postcolonial framework, this study shows that Aboulela opts for a discourse of mediation by adopting cross-cultural dialogue rather than a discourse of confrontation.