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The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has released a new Arabic translation of “Performance Theory” by Simon Shepherd through its Kalima Translation Project. The book, translated by Hossam Nayel, belongs to the Cambridge Introductions to the Arts and Literature series and explores the meaning and significance of performance theory across multiple academic disciplines.
According to the centre, the publication aims to answer fundamental questions about what performance theory means and why the concept of “performance” has become increasingly important in fields such as social sciences, arts, anthropology, folklore, geography, and religious studies. The work represents a comprehensive introduction to understanding performance across both artistic and behavioral contexts.
Understanding Performance Theory Across Disciplines
The book takes readers on an extensive journey through sociology, interaction rituals, theatre, everyday life, ethnography, folklore, communicative events, cultural performance, and social drama. Shepherd seeks to clarify the origins of the term “performance theory” and the emergence of the word “performance” itself, defining key terminology and associated practices in each field.
Additionally, the author presents new ideas regarding a wide range of performance definitions and their applications. The translation provides Arabic-speaking readers access to important theoretical frameworks that have shaped contemporary understanding of performance in both academic and practical contexts.
Key Theorists and Their Influence
The publication examines major figures in performance theory and their contributions to the field. According to the release, Shepherd offers a new entry point for understanding the ideas of influential theorists such as Erving Goffman in sociology and Richard Schechner in experimental theatre and performance studies.
However, the book goes beyond simply cataloguing theorists and their work. It demonstrates how these scholars developed interconnected approaches to understanding human behavior and artistic expression through the lens of performance.
The Intersection of Art and Behavior in Performance Theory
Readers arrive at a central conclusion that the book’s main thesis emphasizes how performance in “performance theory” is not limited to the art of acting. The overlap between theatrical performance and behavioral performance emerged due to parallel developments in both artistic performance and the performance of behavior.
Meanwhile, each domain ventured into the territory of the other, creating productive interdisciplinary exchanges. Social sciences, particularly in Goffman’s work, used theatre as a comparative framework, while many artists became interested in using everyday life as a model for their creative practice.
Contemporary Relevance and Application
This intersection has given the word “performance” its power, continuity, and fresh impact across daily, political, and artistic practices, according to the author’s analysis. The concept has proven remarkably adaptable to analyzing diverse human activities and cultural phenomena.
In contrast to narrow definitions that confine performance to theatrical contexts, the book demonstrates how performance theory offers analytical tools applicable to understanding social interactions, cultural rituals, and political events. The translation makes these insights accessible to Arabic-speaking scholars and students across multiple disciplines.
The Kalima Translation Project continues to bridge knowledge gaps by making significant academic works available in Arabic. This latest release from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre supports broader educational and cultural objectives in the region, though no announcement has been made regarding future related publications or supplementary materials for the book.
