Comprehensive 60 Minutes Interview with Syrian Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa

Syria's newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, age 42, engaged in an interview within the presidential palace last month with Margaret Brennan. This marked his inaugural appearance on American television following his ascension to power. The conversation unfolded on September 16, prior to al-Sharaa's trip to New York for his address at the United Nations.

Untranslated Dialogue in Arabic

The original video features President al-Sharaa responding exclusively in Arabic. For improved clarity, the footage has been slightly edited.

Considerations on Translation

Translating languages often involves subjective interpretation rather than rigid rules. As a result, different translators might provide a range of nuanced meanings and interpretations.

Translation Process for 60 Minutes Feature

To produce the broadcast featuring Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, several translators participated in the process. The first translation was simultaneous, conducted during the interview by a translator working for President al-Sharaa. An additional translator, engaged by 60 Minutes, monitored to ensure the initial translation's accuracy. Later, a third translator also retained by 60 Minutes performed a thorough, word-for-word translation from Arabic to English. This is often referred to as a 'fine translation.'

During the final edits of the segment, a CBS News producer fluent in Arabic collaborated to harmonize any discrepancies between the simultaneous and detailed translations, validating essential revisions for clarity and brevity.