The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has published the Arabic edition of the book “Milk: A Global History” by Hannah Velten, as part of the Kalima Translation Project.
The book was translated into Arabic by Allam Ibrahim Zaidan and reviewed by Dr Youssef Hamdan. It highlights the history of milk and covers a wide range of topics, including the cultural significance of milk, its nutritional value, and the economic value of the dairy industry.
The author begins by tracing the history of milk production and consumption from ancient times to the present day. She discusses the role that milk in ancient civilisations, from its use as a food and drink in various cultures around the world, to its significance in certain religious rituals and special occasions as a symbol of fertility and abundance, in addition to its use as a marker of social status in some societies.
Velten devotes a significant part of the book to the negative aspects of milk production, such as fraud and manipulation, which can lead to spoilage and loss of its nutritional value and desirable medicinal properties. The book presents different viewpoints and criticisms directed at milk, which in some cases lead to calls for boycott from certain groups who describe milk as “the white poison”.
Furthermore, the book discusses methods used by the dairy industry and some governments to support and provide this product in schools and healthcare centres as a healthy staple that aids in children’s growth, protects against osteoporosis, and boosts immunity in both young and old.
The book also examines the economic significance of the dairy industry, showing how it has become a major economic force in many countries. It addresses key challenges facing the industry, such as competition from other food products and rising f animal feed costs and offers insights into the role of science and technology in improving milk production and processing.
Finally, “Milk: A Global History” sheds light on the environmental impact of milk and ethical issues surrounding its production, particularly concerning the treatment of animals in dairy farms, which remains a controversial issue.
The author, Hannah Velten, is a former journalist who worked as a correspondent for “Farmers Weekly” magazine. She spent years working in Australian cattle stations and British dairy farms and is an expert on the history of animals and their relationship with humans. Her works include “Cow”, which forms part of the author’s “Animal Series” and was also translated into Arabic by the Kalima Translation Project, and “Beastly London: A History of Animals in the City”.
Meanwhile, the book’s translator Allam Ibrahim Zaidan is a writer, translator, and professional editor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and a higher diploma in translation from the Islamic University of Gaza in Palestine. Zaidan provides linguistic services to various prestigious institutions and brands worldwide and has made numerous contributions through his collaboration with the TED Institute, where he oversees the Arabic language translator community.
