Elsine-i S̱elās̱e

This collection examines the complexities of translation in the Ottoman Empire, delving into the intersections of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish languages (elsine-i selase) that formed the backbone of Ottoman high culture and literature. The contributors explore translation practices, cultural exchange, and power relations that shaped the Ottoman intellectual landscape, covering topics such as literary translations, lexicography, and the evolution of Ottoman Turkish as a lingua franca. With a focus on the 15th to the 19th centuries, the essays reveal the intricate web of linguistic, cultural, and historical forces that influenced translation decisions, authorship, and readership in the Ottoman Empire, shedding new light on the dynamics of cross-cultural communication and knowledge transfer in pre-modern Eurasia.