Banal nationalism in translation: a case study of Egypt’s National Center for translation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Michael Billig’s theory of banal nationalism describes mundane practices that implicitly flag and reproduce nationhood. This article applies his theory within Translation Studies by examining the role of the National Center for Translation in Egypt’s nation-building processes. While ‘hot nationalism’, often appearing in times of conflict and crisis, dominates translation research, the article shifts the perspective toward subtler processes of everyday nationalism. Three methodological implications arise from this study. First, it expands the scope of translation history to include routine translation activities that reinforce national identity over time. Second, it suggests a relational approach linking such mundane practices to broader ideological phenomena. Third, it deploys the conceptual tools of banal nationalism to uncover how translation discreetly conveys nationalist ideologies. In arguing for these implications, the study analyzes three of the Center’s translations. The analysis shows that Sufism and Deconstruction promotes religious nationalism by categorizing Sufism as enlightened Islam, which aligns with the state’s preferences. The Journey of the Holy Family in Egypt constructs a narrative of cultural justice by depicting Egypt as a sanctuary for the oppressed and minorities. The October Victory in Israeli Documents embeds narratives of military victory into the national consciousness to sustain a memory of triumph.