Dr. Wissal Al Allaq

Founder and CEO 

New Horizons

Translation and Language Consultancy

Education                           

  • PhD- Translation Studies- UAEU (Nov. 2016)
Difficulties and Principles of Drama Translation:
with Special Reference to Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
  • Master’s Degree in Poetry Translation – Sana’a University – Yemen 2001.
  • Bachelor Degree in English Literature – Sana’a University – Yemen 1996.
 

Objectives

To expand my role and enhance my status in the fields of interpreting , poetry translation and creative writing, while helping others maximize their potential in these respective fields. As such, New Horizons Translation and Language Consultancy was founded with the ultimate goal of creating translated  texts that mirror the originals spirits. In every way, I aspire to cultivate an approach to translating the written and/or spoken word where language and culture walk hand in hand.  
 
Publications:
  • في الليل كلنا شعراء سود – مختارات شعرية مترجمة من الإنجليزي إلى العربي، صادر عن مشروع كلمة. 2009.
  • كما الريح- مختارات شعرية مترجمة من الإنجليزي إلى العربي، صادر عن مشروع كلمة 2010.
  • Arabic Language and Globalization, published in AWEG.
  • شعرٌ عصيٌ على الترجمة: تجربتي في ترجمة “لا شيء يحدث.. لا أحد يجيء”، القدس العربي
 

Current Position:

  • CEO of New Horizons Translation and Language Consultancy (since September 2021)

New Horizons provides the following services:

  • Specialized poetry translation
  • Translating various literary genres
  • Simultaneous conference interpretating
  • Online interpreting
  • Consecutive interpreting
  • Online courses and workshops in translation and interpreting
  • Voiceover, presenting and reciting poetry
  • Copywriting and editing

 

Work Experience:

  • Copywriter/ Translator/ Content editor at PICO International – Permanent Freelancer (since February 2021)
My work entails creating and translating content for a number of Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions and programs such as:
  • UK Pavilion
  • Peru Pavilion
  • Dubai Cares Pavilion
  • Malta Pavilion
  • Expo Live
  • World Majlis
  • Expo 2020 Dubai | Programme for People and Plant
  • Interpreter/ Poetry translator/ Creative writer – Freelancer- since 2006[1]
My expertise has been provided to high-profile agencies in the UAE such as:
  • ADEC, FDF, Al Dar, GHQ, CNIA, NCEMA, ECSSR, TDIC, the US Embassy, Cultural Foundation among other governmental and nongovernmental entities.
  • Academic English Writing lecturer at Abu Dhabi University (afternoon lecturing from 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm) Sep. 2007 – 2009. My duties covered:
  • Teaching Academic English Writing to male and female students as a mandatory course for major enrollment.
  • Holding development classes for those in need of improving their writing and comprehension skills.
  • Conducting visual and audio presentation to enhance students’ awareness of common mistakes and errors committed in English writing and speaking.
  • Holding and grading exams & term papers as well as assessing student’s development.
  • Translator for Tabah Foundation Apr. 2007- Sep. 2008. My duties covered:
  • Translation of high-profile international reports such as the Gallup Poll & the RAND Report for the Research Department.
  • Interpretation for the General Director during his meetings with VIP guests and high officials.
  • Translation of brochures & marketing material for the General Director.
  • Translating & editing policies, contracts, reports of all departments.
  • Translating & subtitling documentaries for the Media Division.
  • Conducting in house presentations and workshops for Tabah Foundation staff members.
 
Some of the publication translated for Tabah:
  • The Lost Tools of Learning|
 أدوات التعلم المفقودة
  • Gallop Poll on Muslims and the West|
 استبيان غالوب عن الإسلام والغرب
  • Islam as an Ideology- Rand International Analytical Brief
 الإسلام والحركات الإيديولوجية- موجز تحليلي لموسسة راند الدولية
  • Here Today.. Gone Tomorrow
 اليوم موجود وغداً مفقود
  • Compulsory Education in the US and Canada
 التعليم الإلزامي في الولايات المتحدة وكندا
  • Translation/ Editor/ Creative writer for LinguistHouse Translation Services. Sep. 2006- Apr. 2007. My duties cover the following:
  • Translation of English and Arabic texts for top accounts such as Abu Dhabi Municipality, The Environmental Agency, Al Dar Properties, Cultural Foundation, the National Consultative Council and ADCO.
  • Editing of English and Arabic texts for finalizing them prior to printing or publishing for top accounts such as the above mentioned.
  • Copy writing/creative writing of ads and press releases of various clients
  • Consecutive and simultaneous conference translation held in Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.
  • Office Director to the Consul General of the Republic of Iraq Jeddah- KSA. Mar. 2006 mid Jun. 2006. My Duties involved the following:
  • Translation of contracts, agreements, meetings.
  • Generating content for PR and press releases.
  • Arranging and scheduling for the Consul General’s meetings with other Consuls and Ambassadors.
  • Coordinating and scheduling for press interview with the Consul General.
  • Public Relations duties such as hotel bookings, events organizing, invitations distributions and press clippings of the relevant and important news affecting the region economically and politically.
  • Preparing for National Occasions and reception of official Figures form Iraq.
  • Delegating tasks for the Consulate Staff on behalf of the Consul General and follow up on execution and deadlines to ensure duties are carried out efficiently.  
  • Handling the filing systems and managing the correspondence of the Consulate.
  • Preparing weekly and monthly reports and action plans outlining the progress of certain tasks and matters set for me by the Consul General
  • Regular administrative tasks: forwarding, faxing, typing, filing, follow-up. 
 

Other Experience:

  • Creative Writer, Translation Editor & Project Support of SACCS Public Relations Agency. Jeddah- KSA Nov. 2005 Feb. 2006.
  • Translator to the National Sales Office in Hilton Abu Dhabi/ Al Ain. Feb. 2001 – Oct. 2002.
  • Salesperson in Telemarketing Program in the Intercontinental Al Ain Hotel. Nov. 2000 – Jan. 2001. (Part time Job)
  • Translator & Coordinator to the Managing Director of Al Ain Distribution Company. Al Ain – UAE Feb. 1999 – Nov. 2000.
  • Translator & Interpreter in several Scientific & Literary Conferences – Sana’a – Yemen 1996 – 1998 (Part time job)
  • Voluntarily work as a lecturer of Semantics and translation during the last year in Sana’a University (Voluntarily Part time job) 1996.
  • Translator for AnNaft WatTanmia Magazine dealing with Petrol & Industrial Issues. 1994 – 1996 (Part time Job).
 
Lectures and Presentations:
  • On Translating Poetry- UAEU 20
  • Intervention in Translation UAEU 2013.
  • Translating the other: Politics of Orientalism, Globalization and Trans-Cultural Hybridity, UAEU 2014.
  • Macbeth in Arabic UAEU
  • Drama and Cognitive Translation UAEU 2015.
  • UAEGSRC, Abu Dhabi 20
  • Jabra and Niazi’s Soliloquies: A Comparative Study UAEU 2016.
  • UAEGSRC UAEU, 2016.
  • The Translation Symposium UAEU 2017.
 
Computer Knowledge:
§    Microsoft word
§    Power point
§    Excel
§    Internet
§    Google Drive
§    Interpretation Platforms:
o   Zoom
o   Microsoft Teams
o   Kudo
o   Interprefy
Languages:
  • Arabic – Mother tongue                 (Spoken/ Written)
  • English- Excellent                                 (Spoken/ Written)
 
Summary of Experience:
  • Interpretating & Translation
  • Poetry Translation
  • Academic teaching & lecturing
  • Online workshops
  • Translation Editing
  • Research
  • Public Relations
  • Creative writing and content creation
  • Telemarketing & administrative tasks
  • Executive, administrative & Coordinating Duties
[1] Appendix 1 includes some of the major conferences and events where my interpretation skills and expertise were provided.

Appendix 1:

List of conferences and events conducted:
My interpretation skills and expertise has been provided to high profile agencies in the UAE for major events such as the following and many more:
  • Caspian Learning Workshop, 2006, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi
  • Leaders in Architecture and Design MENA Summit, 2007, Dubai
  • Risk Management Workshops, CNIA, 2008, Abu Dhabi
  • Emirati Expressions talks, 2008, Abu Dhabi
  • Special Operations College Combatting Terrorism Seminar 2009, Abu Dhabi
  • Literacy in the 21st Century, 2009, Al Ain
  • Advanced Security Risk Management Courses, Australian Embassy, 2009, Abu Dhabi
  • Vulnerability Assessment Workshops, Critical National Infrastructure Authority, 2009, Abu Dhabi
  • Annual GPCA Forum, 2009, Dubai
  • Gulf C4iSR Conference, 2010, Abu Dhabi
  • Al Ain Aerobatic Show, 2010, Al Ain
  • The Circle Abu Dhabi, 2010, Abu Dhabi
  • Abu Dhabi International Book Exhibition 2010, Abu Dhabi
  • The Millennium Development Goals, Crown Prince Court, 2010, Abu Dhabi
  • Special Needs Conference, 2011, Al Ain
  • Falconry Festival, 2011, Al Ain
  • Dubai Customs- US Embassy Workshops, 2009-2013, Dubai, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah.
  • Asia Pacific Conference: 2012 , Dubai
  • Global Entrepreneurship Summit, 2012, Dubai
  • Treasures of the World’s Cultures, TDIC, 2012, Abu Dhabi
  • Supporting HR at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, World Bank Workshops, 2012, Abu Dhabi
  • Art Abu Dhabi, 2012, Abu Dhabi
  • Judicial Administration Program, 2012, Abu Dhabi
  • Supporting HR at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, World Bank Workshops, 2013, Abu Dhabi
  • Tourism and Culture Authority, Sorbonne – Al Ain Field trip 2013, Al Ain
  • Tourism and Culture Authority, Sorbonne – Al Ain Field trip 2013, Abu Dhabi
  • The Emirates Model in the Eyes of Expatriates, 2013, Dubai
  • School Transportation Conference, 2013, Dubai
  • Arab Media Conference, 2013, Dubai
  • Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference, 2013, Dubai
  • e-Government RTA Conference, 2013, Dubai
  • Parenting Talks, Salamah Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation Workshop Series, 2013-2015, Al Ain
  • Qasr Al Hosn Festival, 2014, Abu Dhabi
  • Heritage Music Night, 2014, Al Ain
  • ADEC Schools Job Description Workshop, 2015, Al Ain
  • Youth Philanthropy Summit, 2016, Abu Dhabi
  • UN Women Conference, 2016, Sharjah
  • Abu Dhabi Police Innovation & Leadership Workshop, 2016, London, UK
  • RTA Business Forum, 2017, Dubai
  • 11th International Brainstorming Session, 2017, Dubai
  • AVSEC Global 2017, Dubai
  • ENEC Public Forum 1, 2017, Al Ruwais
  • Dubai Font Launch, 2018, Dubai
  • ENEC Public Forum 2, 2017, Abu Dhabi
  • Al Ain SME Forum, 2017, Al Ain
  • Dubai Declaration to Position EMS for Growth in the Arab region, 2017, Dubai
  • ENEC Public Forum 3, 2017, Abu Dhabi
  • GCC VALUE ADDED TAX, 2017, Ajman
  • The Principals Symposium, 2017, Dubai
  • Arab Reading Challenge Award Ceremony, 2017, Dubai
  • 4th Sharjah Hospitality Forum, 2017, Sharjah
  • UNESCO-HBMSU Arab Diploma-cohort 2 14-25 Jan. 2018, Dubai
  • Arab Media Forum, Impactful Media Trends, 2018, Dubai
  • HR Metrics for Maximum Impact, 2018, Ras Al Khaimah
  • Sharjah Art Foundation Spring Exhibitions and March Meeting, 2018, Sharjah
  • Pioneering the Future, Middle East Rail, 2018, Dubai,
  • Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport, 2018, Dubai
  • Global Aerospace Summit 2018, Dubai
  • SIMTEX, 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition 2018
  • Hassan Sharif: Interexchange Symposium, 2018, Sharjah
  • Turbo Retarder Clutch VIAB Introduction, Mercedes benz, 2018, Dubai
  • Global Education and Skills Forum, 2018, Dubai
  • High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • Impact Evaluation and Measurement of Early Childhood Education in MENA, 2018.
  • Aerospace Summit and Falcon City, 2018, Dubai 
  • ENEC Risk & Crisis Management Workshop , 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • RTA Safety Award Ceremony, 2018, Dubai
  • Early Childhood Development Conference, 2018, Ajman
  • Advanced Economic Journalism “Finding the News in Trade and Financial Markets”, 2018, Dubai
  • The International Zoo Educators Association Conference, 2018, Al Ain
  • The Excellence Award Assessments, MOI, 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future, 2018, Dubai
  • World Green Economy Forum, 2018, Dubai
  • What Works? KHDA/ EXPO 2018, Dubai
  • Sir Baniyas Forum, 2018, Liwa
  • The Interfaith Alliance Forum, 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival, 2018, Sharjah
  • Solar Park Decathlon, 2018, Dubai
  • MOF Internal Workshop, 2018, Dubai
  • ENEC International Nuclear Law Association’s 23rd Bi-Annual Congress, 2018, Abu Dhabi
  • EXPO 2020 International Partners Meeting, 2018, Dubai
  • The Knowledge Summit, 2018, Dubai
  • Archeological Sites Conservation Conference, 2018, Sharjah
  • Netflix Media Interview- Comedians of the World, 2018, Dubai
  • FBC RTA Business Engagement Forum 2019, Dubai
  • What Works? KHDA/ EXPO 2019, Dubai
  • Global Space Congress, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • Middle East Rail- Smart Mobility, 2019, Dubai
  • Dubai TV Grand Tour Coverage, 2019, Dubai
  • Global Education and Skills Forum, 2019, Dubai
  • Arab Media forum, 2019, Dubai
  • The Nobel Literature Museum Workshops, Feb 2019, Dubai
  • EXPO 2020 International Partners Content and Programming, Apr. 2019, Dubai
  • CBI General Assembly Annual Report, 2019, Ras Al Khaimah
  • Seamless: PAYMENTS – FINTECH – BANKING – IDENTITY, 2019, Dubai
  • Amlak Finance- AGM Event, 2019, Dubai
  • Positive Education, Ministry of Education, 2019, Ajman
  • The Climate Summit, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • IMP Expo 2020 Technical Meeting, Jul. 2019, Dubai
  • UAE Football Club- Brand Launch, 2019, Dubai
  • ADNOC Celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Engagement Day, 2019, Dubai
  • Emirates Group Security, Aviation Security, 2019, Dubai
  • Masdar- Mohammed Bin Zayed University of A.I. Launch, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • ENEC Stakeholder Forum, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • World Green Economy Summit, 2019, Dubai
  • Reno2 Smart Phone Launch, 2019, Dubai
  • National Summit on Counter- Terrorist financing and sanctions, 2019, Abu Dhabi
  • The Knowledge Summit, 2019, Dubai
  • Stop Single Use Plastic Campaign, 2019, Dubai
  • Ajman City Centre Media Tour, 2019, Ajman
  • ICCROM’s Cultural Heritage Preservation in Times of Crises, 2019, Sharjah
  • Tech Innovation Pioneers, 2020, Abu Dhabi
  • World Urban Forum 2020, Abu Dhabi
  • Global Women Forum, 2020, Dubai
  • Tolerance Awards, 2020, Dubai
  • Hope Makers Awards, 2020, Dubai
  • Literacy Challenge Forum, 2020, Dubai
  • Middle East Rail- Smart Mobility, 2020, Dubai
  • ICCROM Webinar Sessions on Managing Urban Heritage- June & July 2020
  • Emirati Women’s Forum, 2020
  • CBI General Assembly Annual Report, 2020, Ras Al Khaimah
  • Abrahamic Forum, TMWCC, 2020, Dubai
  • Expo 2020 Press Conferences, 2021, Dubai
  • The UAE Innovates, 2021, Dubai
  • Uber Ignite Series, 2021, Dubai
  • ADNOC Excellence Awards 2021, Dubai
  • WED Movement, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, 2021
  • Future of Museums: Actual & Virtual Challenges, 2021, Dubai
  • Pollution-Free Environment & Sustainable Water Resources. 2021, Dubai
  • 72nd International Astronautical Congress, 2021 Dubai
  • Think Tank for the Future Forum, 2021, Dubai
  • Tourism Shapers Series, Saudi Tourism Authority, 2021
  • Expo Security Commission Meeting 2021, Dubai
  • GoldenWay Launch, 2021, Dubai
  • Seminar: Akhmed Haji Qadyro: Sound Vision & Method, 2021, Dubai
  • ADNOC Gender Balance Awards,2021, Dubai
  • Seamless Middle East 2021, Dubai
  • Dubai International Public Private Partnership Conference, 2021, EXPO 2020 Dubai
  • Aqdar World Summit 2021, EXPO 2020 Dubai
  • Abu Dhabi TV, هنا العالم
  • Abu Dhabi TV, مساء إكسبو
  • AFAQ Leadership, Ramadan Majlis Talk series. April, 2022
  • US Food Safety & Security Summit. May, 2022
  • AFAQ Leadership, Teaching & Learning in Higher Education workshop. June, 2022
  • Food Safety and Security, US FDA, May, 2022
  • Accelerate 100X Forum, Aug. 2022
  • Arab Media Forum, Oct. 2022