Inter-language translation project taken up

GUWAHATI, Dec 14 – A massive inter-language translation exercise has brought to light an enviably rich treasure trove of children’s literature of the NE region that has remained obscured so far. The venture has been undertaken jointly by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and city-based voluntary organisation Anwesha.

It includes inter-language translation of children’s literatures of Assamese, Bodo, Garo, Khasi, Manipuri and Mizo languages. In all 180 books would be published under this project with each of these languages getting 30 books.

The entire process started in December last and a nodal committee is looking after the entire process. The nodal committee comprises Prof AC Bhagaboti, Head of the NE Regional Centre of IGNCA, noted author Arup Dutta, Paresh Malakar (coordinator) , Hare Krishna Deka (Assamese), Dr Bhupen Narzary (Bodo), Dr Fameline Marak (Garo), Prof Luangliana Khiangte (Mizo), DL Kharmawhlang (Khasi), T Bijoy Kumar Singh (Manipuri) and Dudulmoni Sarma of Anwesha.

Under the project, there are advisory committees for each of the languages too, Malakar said. He claimed that this is the first venture of its type undertaken in the country.

The books selected for translation were first translated into English to facilitate their translation into other languages. The translation part of the books is almost complete, and now the problems in the area of correct expression of the nuances of the original languages are to be dealt with, said Malakar.

It is decided to hold a three-day workshop from tomorrow on the Anwesha office premises here to eliminate the loss of quality and nuances of any language in the process of translation, said Prof AC Bhagaboti.

Malakar informed that the workshop would be inaugurated by noted scholar Dr Hiren Gohain at 11 am tomorrow. It will be attended by scholars and experts of the above languages, besides the translators.