Professor Fouzi Nasri: A Bridge Between Arabic and Vietnamese154

Professor Fouzi Nasri is a renowned scholar and translator who has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between the Arabic and Vietnamese languages. Born in Tunisia in 1941, Nasri developed a passion for linguistics at an early age. He went on to study Arabic literature at the University of Tunis, where he earned his doctorate in 1969. After graduation, Nasri embarked on a career in teaching and translation, which brought him to Vietnam in 1979.

Nasri's arrival in Vietnam coincided with a growing interest in Arabic language and culture. The country had a long-standing relationship with the Arab world, dating back to the days of the Silk Road. However, the Vietnamese language lacked a comprehensive dictionary of Arabic terms. Nasri recognized this need and set out to compile the first-ever Arabic-Vietnamese dictionary.

The task was not easy. Arabic and Vietnamese are vastly different languages, with different alphabets, grammatical structures, and vocabularies. Nasri spent years meticulously researching and translating, consulting with experts in both languages. Finally, in 1990, he published the "Arabic-Vietnamese Dictionary," which became an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and diplomats.

In addition to his work on the dictionary, Nasri also translated numerous works of Arabic literature into Vietnamese. He introduced Vietnamese readers to the works of renowned Arab writers such as Naguib Mahfouz, Khalil Gibran, and Mahmoud Darwish. Through his translations, Nasri played a vital role in fostering cultural exchange between the Arab world and Vietnam.

Nasri's contributions to the field of language and translation have been widely recognized. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Al-Sharjah Award for Cultural Translation. He has also received numerous honors from the Vietnamese government and universities.

Today, Professor Fouzi Nasri continues to be a leading figure in the world of Arabic-Vietnamese language studies. He is a professor at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City, where he teaches Arabic language and literature. He is also the director of the Arabic Language Center at the university.

Professor Fouzi Nasri is not only a scholar and translator but also a bridge builder. Through his work, he has fostered understanding and cooperation between the Arabic and Vietnamese peoples. He is an inspiration to all who believe in the power of language to bring people together.

2025-02-13

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