Translation and imperial ambitions

Abstract This socio-historical study seeks to investigate the role played by translation in strengthening the Italian colonial project in Libya. Drawing on postcolonial translation theory and insights from multimodality theory, this article investigates the translation practices utilized by the Italian government to Italianize Libya. Drawing on archival materials from the Libyan Center of Manuscripts and Historical Studies, focusing on records related to education and the press, the article posits that translation served as a crucial instrument wielded by Italian colonizers to assert dominance and exploit resources. Two case studies examine translated colonial newspaper articles from بريد برقة [Barīd Barqah] (1921) and ليبيا المصورة [Lībiyā Almwṣwrh] (1935), illustrating how Italian authority shaped Arabic media discourse through translation. The findings indicate that translated Italian propaganda in Arabic media depicted Libyans as backwards and reinforced colonial power structures.