1. Compilers and Translators One Thousand and One Nights Katie Ullmann

2. One Thousand and One Nights is a compilation of stories that have been translated by many, and recited by many more – each translation served to represent the different cultures and time periods. One translation, is often, not considered more authentic than any other.

3. Fourteenth Century Syrian Manuscript Translated by Galland The series of tales, in Arabic, called Alf Layla wa Layla, had been introduced to European readers by way of Antoine Galland. His compilation grew hugely popular. He published the twelve-volume edition of Les mille et une nuits (1704-17).The series of tales, in Arabic, called Alf Layla wa Layla, had been introduced to European readers by way of Antoine Galland. His compilation grew hugely popular. He published the twelve-volume edition of Les mille et une nuits (1704-17). The English translations of portions of Galland’s edition appeared as early as 1706. Tales belonging to the Arabian Nights circulated in close to one hundred separate editions published in Great Britain before 1800, all of them derived in some way from Galland. Galland had drawn from numerous sources—oral, manuscript, and print—and the provenance of many of the tales he translated was murky at best.The English translations of portions of Galland’s edition appeared as early as 1706. Tales belonging to the Arabian Nights circulated in close to one hundred separate editions published in Great Britain before 1800, all of them derived in some way from Galland. Galland had drawn from numerous sources—oral, manuscript, and print—and the provenance of many of the tales he translated was murky at best.

4. Edward Lane The first efforts to produce a definitive Arabic edition of Alf Layla wa Layla date to the first quarter of the nineteenth century.The first efforts to produce a definitive Arabic edition of Alf Layla wa Layla date to the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Lane published his edition as the first in English to be based on the recent Arabic editions rather than on Galland. Lane also took the unconventional view that The Arabian Nights were to be read not for their literary or entertainment value, but rather for their historical and ethnographic light the compilation shines on Arabic, specifically Egyptian, “life and customs and manners.”Lane published his edition as the first in English to be based on the recent Arabic editions rather than on Galland. Lane also took the unconventional view that The Arabian Nights were to be read not for their literary or entertainment value, but rather for their historical and ethnographic light the compilation shines on Arabic, specifically Egyptian, “life and customs and manners.” His plentiful annotations of the tales and his modernized system of transliteration, as well as his unapologetic literalism, impressed and alienated his first readers in about equal measure.His plentiful annotations of the tales and his modernized system of transliteration, as well as his unapologetic literalism, impressed and alienated his first readers in about equal measure.

5. Richard F. Burton: Arabian Nights (1885-88)]

6. The Egyptian and the Syrian There is no definitive text for the Arabian Nights, either in Arabic or in English. The works go under a number of different names; among these are Alf Layla Wa-Layla, A Thousand Nights and a Night, The Thousand and One Nights, Arabian Nights, and The Arabian Nights Entertainments. The tales seem to have come from the Persian work Hazar Afsana. The frame story is still very Persian in nature. The stories were translated into Arabic from the Persian during the 8th century. Through the 17th century, the tales were told orally, though there are manuscript fragments dating from this time. The earliest substantial Arabic manuscript dates only from the 14th century. During this period, many of the stories seem to have been lost and replaced with newer tales. Certainly, there was an influx of Egyptian and Turkish elements. Today, there are two major families of Arabic texts: the Egyptian and the Syrian.

7. Antione Galland The first European translation was done by Antoine Galland into French in 1704. An English version of the French appeared two years later by an anonymous author.The first European translation was done by Antoine Galland into French in 1704. An English version of the French appeared two years later by an anonymous author. Galland's version seems to be based as much on oral tales as on the Arabic texts. Galland focused more on entertaining, magical, and exotic aspects of the stories, and downplayed the darker elements. As such, it is frequently used as a basis for children's versions.Galland's version seems to be based as much on oral tales as on the Arabic texts. Galland focused more on entertaining, magical, and exotic aspects of the stories, and downplayed the darker elements. As such, it is frequently used as a basis for children's versions.

8. Edward Lane After more than a century, Edward Lane produced another translation of the Nights in 1838. Lane's work was rather detached and ethno-centric, and he offers numerous comments in his notes. He censored or downplayed much of the sexual content as he was writing for the educated English classes of the time.

9. John Payne and Richard Burton John Payne's 1882 translation was the strongest attempt at a complete and scholarly translation. Previous translations were only of select stories and were devised more as a vehicle for social commentary than as literature. They were intended to give a feel for the culture and nature of the Arab people. Payne's (and, later, Burton's) use of an archaic form of language places the stories in the past, and so turns the focus of the stories to literature. Payne's translation is generally overshadowed by Sir Richard Burton's 1885 translation. However, Burton relied very heavily on Payne, even to the point of being accused of plagiarism. Burton translated much of the poetry in a pleasing way and returned the division of the tales into nights. However, he also inserts a strong personal presence through his extensive, colorful footnotes, which can distract from the text.

10. The Many Manifestations of the Nights Joseph C. Mardrus's French version of 1899, translated to English by Powys Mathers in 1923, has been criticized for its bias and for failing to follow the Arabic texts. It focuses primarily on the sexual aspects of the stories, enhancing these where possible, and passing over more moral or mundane tales. In doing so, it presents a cultural stereotype. However, the version does provide a lively alternative to the more scholarly and edited translations before it. It is hard to now pinpoint the origin of the Nights. Though they seem to have come from Persia, many of the tales are set in Indian or even Chinese locales. Most the Persian tales were reshaped or replaced by the Arabic over centuries. There are Egyptian and Turkish influences. Its introduction to Europe has been shaped by its translators, each with their own purposes and injecting their own biases or slants. In a way, the Nights is now without a home. It is a work that exists outside, yet within, its many manifestations.

11. Bibliography Arabian Nights. A description and bibliography, by Zach Tomaszewski. LIS 685, Fall 2001, taught by Nyla Fujii-Babb. Stephen Arata. “On E. W. Lane’s Edition of The Arabian Night’ Entertainemnts, 1838”