In an age when nations compete not only through trade or military might but through narratives, Oman’s diplomacy stands as a quiet yet eloquent exercise in soft power. At its heart lies translation; the often invisible art that transforms national identity into an intelligible global message. Far from a technical process, translation operates as a subtle political instrument, shaping how Oman communicates its values of neutrality, dialogue, and peace to the world.
In Oman’s case, this projection is evident in the country’s diplomatic discourse; its multilingual press releases, Foreign Ministry of Oman statements, and carefully rendered English versions of royal speeches. These texts do more than inform; they cultivate admiration for Oman’s distinctive foreign policy philosophy; one rooted in balance, respect, and intercultural understanding. Translation shapes global narratives by mediating political meanings across linguistic borders In Omani diplomacy, this mediation turns language into policy: by translating Arabic statements into English and vice versa, Omani institutions negotiate the fine line between regional identity and global engagement. When Oman’s officials speak of “bridges of peace” or “dialogue among nations,” translators ensure that these phrases resonate in a tone of moderation and sincerity, countering the region’s stereotypes of confrontation.
Unlike the grand cultural propaganda once associated with major powers, Oman’s soft power functions through persuasion by example. The Perspectives journal argues that translation operates most effectively when aligned with “nation branding and the dissemination of cultural values” The English translations of Omani cultural diplomacy texts—exhibition catalogues, tourism campaigns, or the Oman Vision 2040 narrative—perform precisely that function. They project an image of a nation steeped in heritage yet oriented towards cooperation and reform. Each translation becomes an act of narrative curation, highlighting Oman’s role as a mediator rather than a polemicist.
The theoretical underpinnings of such work draw from what Gagnon (2006) termed ideological translation shifts—the subtle ways translation reproduces institutional ideologies.
In Oman’s multilingual diplomacy, translators inevitably navigate ideological terrain: how to express allegiance to Arab solidarity while maintaining an independent voice; how to translate Qur’anic or cultural references without alienating non-Arabic audiences. Their task embodies what Venuti called “the politics of visibility,” balancing foreignisation (retaining Omani authenticity) and domestication (ensuring accessibility). The process is not without ethical and strategic tension. As Sun and Subramaniam (2023) note, political translation is never neutral—it is “a conduit for ideology and cultural policy”.
Omani translators must decide whether to preserve the poetic cadence of Arabic diplomacy or to simplify it for pragmatic comprehension. Each choice reflects a vision of how Oman wishes to be seen. Ultimately, translation in Omani diplomacy is less about words than about worldview. It humanises statecraft by converting political restraint into linguistic grace. When Omani envoys address the United Nations or regional forums, their translated statements exemplify Joseph Nye’s notion of attraction; the power to persuade through credibility and culture. In a region often defined by loud narratives, Oman’s softly spoken multilingualism is its strongest diplomatic voice.
Translation, then, is Oman’s quiet orchestra; tuning national discourse into harmony with global ears. Through it, the Sultanate continues to turn dialogue into diplomacy, and diplomacy into enduring influence.
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