Majdoddin Keyvani
Biography
Majdoddin Keyvani is a prominent Iranian translator, author, and linguist, born on February 1, 1938, in Isfahan. He is recognized as one of the influential figures in linguistics, literature, and translation in Iran, contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge and culture through his works.
Early Life and Education
Keyvani earned his bachelor’s degree in Persian literature from Tarbiat Moallem University (formerly Daneshsaray-e Aali) in June 1961. He pursued further education in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a diploma in bilingual education in 1965 and a Ph.D. in applied linguistics from the University of Wales in 1968.
Academic and Professional Activities
– Member of the Supreme Scientific Council at the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia since its establishment
– President of the Higher Education Institute in Zahedan (1974–1978)
– Member of the Language Curriculum Planning Committee, Supreme Cultural Revolution Council (1982–1983)
– Professor and faculty member at Tarbiat Moallem University
– Editor-in-chief of the biannual journal Ayeneh Mirath (since 2013)
– Associate member of the Encyclopaedia Iranica project
Publications and Works
Books
- Adib al-Mamalek Farahani, Tehran, Office of Cultural Research, 2010
Selected Articles
– “The Beginning and End of the Constitutional Revolution from Adib al-Mamalek’s Perspective,” Azma, August 2013
– “Reflections on Mythological Themes in Persian Mystical and Sufi Literature,” Nameh Farhangestan, Summer 2011
– “The Crisis of Translation in Iran,” Ketab-e Mah-e Adabiat va Falsafeh, 2004
– “The Fate of Dialects,” Islamic Studies, 1995
– “Remarks on the Impact of Script on Translation,” Persian Language and Literature, 1994
Translations
- The Wine of Wisdom: The Life, Poetry, and Philosophy of Omar Khayyam, by Mehdi Aminrazavi, Tehran, 2006
- Persian Sufism in Its Historical Perspective, by Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub, 2003
- Abdullah Ansari of Herat: An Early Sufi Master, by Abdul Ghafoor Ravan Farhadi, 1998
- The Psychology of Reading, by Keith Rayner, 1999
- The Heritage of Sufism, by Leonard Lewisohn, 2006
Lectures and Talks
– “Taj al-Qasas: A Blend of Tales, Commentary, and Wisdom,” Nameh Farhangestan, 2010
– “Cosmology and Psychology,” Nameh Farhangestan, 2008
– “Iran Encyclopedia,” Gozarsh-e Mirath, 2012
Awards and Honors
– Winner of the 2007 Iranian Book of the Year Award for the translation of The Wine of Wisdom: The Life, Poetry, and Philosophy of Omar Khayyam by Mehdi Aminrazavi
Video Index
Chapters:
- Childhood and Adolescence
2. Undergraduate Studies, Teaching, and Marriage
3. Graduate Studies in England
4. Doctoral Dissertation Topic
5. Return to Iran
6. Establishment and Management of Zahedan Higher Education College
7. Research Sabbatical and Academic Activities After Returning to Iran
8. Suspicious Incident
9. Specialized Courses Taught
10. Collected Works 1
11. Collected Works 2 – On the Book The Concept of Guardianship
12. Collected Works 3
13. Collected Works 4
14. Collected Works 5 – Unpublished Works
15. Translation, Literature, and Culture
- Challenges of the Art of Translation in Iran
- Copyright Issues in Translation
- The Evolution of Sufism Throughout History
- Experience and Work Methods
- Reason for Interest in Translating Works on Mysticism
- Politics
- Changing Perspectives on Political and Social Issues Over Time
- The Concept of Freedom and Law
- On the Alleged Conflict Between Freedom and Security
- History
- Historiography from Past to Present
- Personal Worldview
- The Best Advice You’ve Ever Received
- Advice for Young People
- About the Arte Project
Personal Information
- Birthday: February 1, 1938
- Birthplace: Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
- Interview date: 17.02.2023- 05.03.2023