NEW DELHI, Feb 11: Private publishers need to play an important role in promoting translations of books in different languages according to officials of the National Book Trust, which is now setting up a database of translators across the country.
“NBT has different editors for different regional languages. Advisory committees have been formed for every language, which decides as to which books in the native languages can be translated. We are creating a database of the translators because translation isn’t easy,” said A. Sethumadhavan, Chairman, NBT at the Delhi Literature fest, which concluded here yesterday.
Indian constitution has officially recognised only 22 languages but NBT translates books from one language to other into more than 30 languages. “Transcends can’t be possible without translators,” he said
The Malayalam writer pointed out that India is a literature treasure house.
“As part of its effort to promote Indian books Abroad and to facilitate business interactions to buy or sell translation rights between Indian publishers and foreign publishers, the National Book Trust has also organised the New Delhi Rights Table”, said Sethumadhavan.
New Delhi Rights Table was part of World Book Fair and provided a unique opportunity for publishers from across the world to meet each other on a one to one basis to tentatively finalize their interest and agreements for transfer of translation rights available in English, Hindi and other Indian languages.
Arunava Sinha, well known translator (Bengali to English) said that for a translator to get the expletives right is the most tough job.
“Translating nuances is a difficult because every word has a cultural background and history hidden in it. A perfect translation should always create an impact as the original work,” he said.
According to Mariam Karim, fiction writer “Every language has different sensibility. Every word has a history. Being a translator one needs to create response with the other language. Translation is to discover the otherness of the other language”.
It is very easy for translators to be intimated by the authors. In translations idioms play an important role. Translated work always enriches the imaginary, she said.
Garima Pant, author writer said that a writer should always be observant. “Readers have a translator in their minds. Readers always try to analyse a work through their cultural and traditional barriers. It isn’t necessary that reader will always interpret what author wants him to.”
A tribute to Urdu poet Shahryar was also given by reading ‘Nazams’ from his poetry by Rakshanda Jalil director, media & culture in Jamia Millia Islamia University. Jalil has authored ‘Invisible City: The Hidden Monuments of Delhi’.
She said,”Shahryar is a major voice in Urdu literature. In modern Urdu poetry Shahryar played an ‘seminal’ role. He produced new metaphors and symbols”.
Mangalesh Dabral’s book “Lullaby of the Ever-Returning” was also launched at the Festival, which signed off with a folk music performance by Zagrus Group of Iran. (PTI)_
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