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PRAXIS INTERCULTURAL Your gateway to understanding the relationship between discourse, linguistics, and translation.

Praxis (n.)
The process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, or realized.

–

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Welcome to PRAXIS INTERCULTURAL where words connect worlds. PRAXIS INTERCULTURAL is a dynamic hub for translators, researchers, and language professionals—committed to bridging theory and practice, language and action. 

We promote deeper understanding through critical engagement with discourse, genre and text, all viewed through the lens of translation, Academic Writing and the linguistic study of the Quran, three pursuits brought together under the single unifying theme - intercultural communication. 

Praxis, then, is at the heart of Intercultural Mediation, Crafting the Academic Message across professional boundaries, and Deeply Reflecting on the Sacred Text

Here, language is more than a tool—it is a bridge. Every text becomes a portal to insight, through the art and analysis of communication..








STEP INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE
LACED WITH A GLORIOUS PAST
Step into a space where translation meets innovation, and the study of language opens doors to global understanding. At PRAXIS INTERCULTURAL, discovery is not just about going further — it's about going deeper. Engage critically with language, culture, and meaning at the intersection of theory and practice.





PRAXIS
-  From Greek praxis ‘doing, acting’.
– Not just practice — but action informed by reflection.
– Theory-in-action, learning realized, knowledge embodied.


Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Vignette: On Text Type
In Contrastive Textology, it is fairly well established that the norms of argumentation in a Western language such as English differ from those in such Eastern languages as Arabic or Farsi. Take, for example, the lexical token ‘Of course’. This is conventionally associated with text-initial ‘concession’ in English (Of course …. However ….) but its token-for-token equivalent in these other languages often introduces not a ‘concession’ to be countered (a ‘counter-argument’) but a case to be defended (‘argued through’). Thus, for the English-language reader, the element: "Of course this does not mean that we should defend all clergymen…," sets up an expectation that a counter-argument will follow, along the lines of ‘However, the majority of our 'ulamaa' are pious, God-fearing people and  should be defended…’. No such pattern is forthcoming in a Khomeini’s speech simply because what is involved in the Farsi source text is a ‘through-argument’, not a ‘counter-argument’. To illustrate the point, we use a speech by the Ayatullah of Iran translated into English by the BBC and published in The Guardian. The question now becomes, knowing that the requirements of 'counter-argument' are not met, why the translator nevertheless decided to keep the culprit item, thereby setting up an expectation the text is never intended to fulfil. But what could the translator have done differently? Can you suggest a way out of this impasse.
VIGNETTE
On A Legal Genre

 the following two texts appear deceptively similar—yet a closer look will reveal subtle, yet significant, differences. These differences will form the basis of a broader discussion of the discourse model—one that begins with these vignettes and is explored more fully in the course itself.

TEXT A
Final Communique
We, the leaders of the Arab states, 
recognising the seriousness of ...
(...)
Have resolved that ...
(...)

TEXT B
Final Communique
We, the leaders of the Arab States
recognize the seriousness of ....
We resolved that ...

Would you believe that texts nearly identical to Text B, despite being flawed, have been the versions adopted and published by numerous Arab Summit Conferences over the past decade?Texts of the B type are, in fact, deviant renderings from Arabic—impaired translations that have gone largely unchallenged in high-stakes diplomatic contexts.This kind of translation scandal is precisely what our Strategic Translation course sets out to unmask and critically examine.Through a discourse-based lens, we will explore why Text A stands as the model translation—and why the distinction between the two matters profoundly. Welcome to the core of our methodology in Strategic Translation: A Discourse Approach





Vignette 2 

Of course




Vignette 3

MILLS AND BOON


VIGNETTE
on the Discourse of Sexism in the Genre Mills & Boon
The Case of Mills & Boon Overview Genres are not neutral containers of content. Rather, they are vehicles for ideology—they shape and reflect the values, beliefs, and power structures of the societies in which they circulate. The romance genre, particularly in the formulaic style of Mills & Boon, provides a rich site for analyzing how power and ideology operate through discourse. Numerous language features are characteristic of how genres become a mouthpiece of society, enabling discourse perspectives to shine through. We have selected a set of such features for you to illustre from the following passage 1. Reinforcement of Social Norms - Mills & Boon stories typically feature:  - A heterosexual romantic plot
  - A dominant male hero
  - A sensitive, passive, or emotionally driven heroine
- These reinforce:
  - Patriarchy (e.g., male control, female submission)
  - Heteronormativity (romantic love = man + woman)
  - Traditional family values (marriage, domesticity)
 
MILLS AND BOON + TRANSLATION Now assess how the translator of a Mills Boon succeeds or fails in preserving genre integrity  and discourse coherence. Can you do a TQA and suggest an alternative when the translation does not communicate?

Services

Linguistic Workshops

We design our Linguistic Workshops for language professionals, researchers, and advanced learners seeking to deepen their understanding of language in use. With a focus on English or Arabic, each workshop explores key themes in discourse, pragmatics, intercultural communication, and applied linguistics, all with a strong emphasis on real-world application. Whether your interest lies in refining analytical tools or enhancing professional practice, these sessions provide a space for critical engagement, methodological clarity, and intellectual growth.

Intercultural Consulting

Focusing on the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) region and beyond, our consultancy offers expert guidance to individuals, teams, and organizations navigating complex cultural landscapes. Services include tailored cultural sensitivity training, strategic cross-cultural communication support, and bespoke solutions for fostering inclusive, collaborative environments. With a deep understanding of intercultural dynamics, we empower clients to engage effectively, build trust, and achieve their goals across both global and local contexts.

Translation and TESOL Expertise

Courses at a Glance PRAXIS Intercultural offers targeted online training in two core areas: Translation Studies, with a focus on real-world application and purpose-specific practice (under such titles as The Legal Translator at Work), and TESOL, specializing in curriculum design and advanced academic writing (e.g. Academic Writing and the Thesis Writer). Our offerings combine theoretical grounding with professional relevance, helping learners translate insight into practice.

Testimonials

     

 The linguistic and cultural insights I gained significantly enhanced our company's global outreach. 

Emma R.: Marketing Specialist
     

 Their cultural workshops helped our team communicate effectively with international clients. 

James L.: Project Manager
     

 The professionalism and expertise displayed exceeded my expectations. 

Sophia T.: Freelance Writer
  

Courses Envisaged for Fall 2025

ONLINE COURSE OFFERING #1

TO BE LAUNCHED SOON

STRATEGIC TRANSLATION: A DISCOURSE APPROACH

This course introduces a discourse-oriented approach to translation, designed for those seeking to move beyond surface-level language transfer into the heart of meaning-making across contexts and cultures.Rather than treating translation as a sentence-by-sentence operation, we explore how texts function as:

  • Communicative events shaped by genre, and
  • Statements of purpose driven by discursive attitudes.

Drawing on key insights from discourse analysis, text linguistics, and genre theory, participants will learn to:

  • Identify textual expectations
  • Negotiate shifts in register
  • Adapt strategies to specific domains

Case studies—from legal documents to media commentary—form the backbone of the course. We emphasize how translators function not merely as linguists, but as critics, mediators, and intention analysts.By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Analyze texts through a discourse lens
  • Apply genre-sensitive strategies in translation
  • Adhere to translation briefs with greater confidence and contextual insight

Who should take this course?

Early-career translators, graduate students in translation studies, professionals aiming to enhance their interpretive and textual skills, and anyone curious about the why and how behind effective translation.


Please Note:

All online courses offered through this platform are strictly non-profit. Every dirham or dollar received in course fees will be channeled to charitable causes—not to personal gain.




Below is a downloadable Power Point summary of my academic appointments, research contributions, and publications across translation, linguistics, and TESOL.



ONLINE COURSE OFFERING #2

TO BE LAUNCHED SOON 

Coherence as an aspect of Quranic  inimitability: The Case of Intra-textuality and the Translaor


The online course addresses the issue of Intra-textuality (as opposed to Inter- or Contra-textuality) in the context of the often-discussed theme of Quranic Inimitability الأعجاز القرآني  .  The discussion of the various textual phenomena will then lead us to the challenges faced by translators of the Quran in attempting to preserve the subtlety of how one part of the text holds a resemblance of meaning to that of another part of the text. This relationship is deliberately crafted, either directly 

-              through  compositional strategies such as quotation, allusion, etc. , 

or more indirectly -              

-            by interconnections perceived by the reader based on that which, usually  in the same textual environment, conjures up images of an earlier occurrence. 

In other words, the Intra textuality model we will be working with relies on the idea of an uninterrupted chain starting with the beginning of Fatiha, continues with the end of Fatiha only to be picked up by the beginning and end of Albaqra, Al 3mran, etc, until the end of the book.  We start with a key concept, then scrutinise the entire text’s surah beginning and end by surah beginning and end in sequence, for anything that Reiterates Partially reiterates Alludes to Or at least does not exclude the connotation and denotation of the concept under scrutiny. We argue that this pivotal concept is taqwa  تقوى "God-fearing", and the entire Quran was written miraculously around the taqwa chain. It is, in effect, a book of taqwa.


Download FilePPTX • 4014KB
Download FilePPTX • 4014KB

Contact

  • Manhattan, New York, NY, United States

Alternative email address (bhatim@aus.edu). You can reach me on either address

Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
Opening windows onto learning, our vignettes offer brief, striking glimpses into real-world moments of translation, TESOL, and encounters with the sacred text. Designed to spark insight, they challenge convention and invite learners to see familiar issues in a new light.
من صلب الواقع
VIGNETTES
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Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc.

Content Page

This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc. You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. 

Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button. This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc. You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc. You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. 

Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.
This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc. You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. 

Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

You can edit all of this text and replace it with what you want to write. Use the advanced editor to design this content page. Edit your content page from the Pages tab by clicking the edit button.

This is a content page where you can freely add any content such as text, images, links, etc.