N. J. Dawood - Icon Profile | Alexandria
N. J. Dawood (1927-2014) stands as one of the most influential Arabic-English translators of the 20th century, whose rendering of The Koran for Penguin Classics in 1956 became the bestselling English version of Islam's holy book. Born Nessim Joseph Dawood in Baghdad, Iraq, to a family of Iraqi Jewish traders, he embodied the rich cultural tapestry of mid-century Middle Eastern intellectual life.
Dawood's early years in Baghdad, where he attended the Law College, coincided with a period of profound cultural transformation in Iraq. In 1945, he won a government scholarship to study English at London University, marking the beginning of his significant contribution to cross-cultural literary exchange. This transition from Baghdad to London would prove pivotal in shaping his approach to translation, combining Western academic rigor with intimate knowledge of Arabic literary traditions.
Beyond his groundbreaking Koran translation, Dawood's legacy includes masterful renderings of Tales from the Thousand and One Nights and numerous other Arabic literary works. His translation philosophy emphasized accessibility without sacrificing accuracy, a approach that sometimes sparked scholarly debate but ultimately helped introduce millions of English-speaking readers to Arabic literature. As founder of Arabic Advertising & Publishing Ltd. in 1959, he further bridged the cultural divide between Arabic and English-speaking worlds.
Dawood's influence extends beyond his published works. His translation methodology, which balanced literal accuracy with readability, helped establish new standards in Arabic-English translation. The continuing popularity of his Koran translation, despite newer versions, testifies to his ability to capture both the meaning and spirit of complex Arabic texts. Modern scholars and translators still grapple with questions he raised about the challenges of rendering classical Arabic into contemporary English, particularly in religious texts where every word carries profound significance. His work remains a testament to the power of translation to foster cross-cultural understanding, while also highlighting the inherent complexities of bridging linguistic and cultural divides.