ALIGARH : Mr Syed Salman Abbas, Assistant Professor (German), Department of Foreign Languages, Aligarh Muslim University, presented a research paper on Franz Kafka, one of the major figures of 20th century litterateurs at an international conference, titled “Kafka Transformative Communities,” held at the University of Oxford, UK. The conference was hosted by Wadham College drawing participation from leading scholars worldwide.
Mr. Abbas’s paper, “Naiyer Masud Translating Franz Kafka: Finding Kins in the Processes of Minoritisation”, explored the nuanced intersections between the works of Naiyer Masud, an eminent Urdu short story writer and translator, and Franz Kafka. His discussed how both writers grappled with themes of alienation, identity, and marginalization, establishing a unique comparative framework between Kafka’s existential narratives and Masud’s adaptations in the context of Indian literature.
Highlighting the impact of translation as a cultural and philosophical bridge, Mr. Abbas emphasized how literary works can transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries to foster a deeper understanding of shared human experiences.