MA-ENG, Sem-3, Indian Writing in Translation, Unit 1 -Introduction to Indian Writings in Translation, 19.06.2021

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2 Introduction to Indian Translation in English Dr. Mosam Sinha www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Translation and Modern India 3 Colonial education brought with it the establishment of English literature in India, and great importance was accorded to English studies. This led to another irreversible reality: from the times of Raja Rammohan Roy, well into the twentieth century, Anglicization was viewed as an achievement, and a knowledge of English was equated with progress and modernization. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Cultural Domination of English in India 4 The most important face of British superiority in India was the English language, which established its hold over India's cultural world. English literature was not taught as a university subject even in Britain till the late nineteenth century, but was promoted as the symbol of civilization for the Indian colony; its study was institutionalized in India (by 1860 one could get a BA Hons in English from Calcutta University) before it was in England (Oxford University, 1894). www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Cultural Domination of English in India 5 When the British introduced English in Indian schools and colleges, they had an imperial plan. They believed that when someone studied English literature, he or she would not be able to help admiring that body of work and would, as a natural extension of this, become admirers of British culture. They were right. For 200 years, Indian languages, literature, and art forms are yet to recover from English domination. Many generations of Indians genuinely believed that Indian literature and culture had nothing to match the scale, delicacy, or greatness of things of British. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Importance of English Translation from Indian Languages 6 English Translation has helped knit India together as a nation throughout her history. It brought, and still brings languages closer to one another and introduces to one another diverse modes of imagination and perception and various regional cultures thus linking lands and communities together. English is not even among the first fifty languages in terms of number of speakers. Yet we study many literary and non-literary works only in their English translation. India is divided into states that were demarcated on the basis of the predominant languages in those regions. The fact is that we live on literary and language islands. Just because most of us feel safe in this island culture does not make it any healthier. We need to reach out of our regional boundaries and access the literatures and knowledge in other parts of India. Of all the languages we use, English is the medium of the widest literary exchange among Indians, and it offers an all- India participation on a scale that no other language can match. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

What is IWE and What is ILET? 7 There is a difference between Indian writings in English (IWE) and Indian Literatures in English Translation (ILET). Indian Writing in English (IWE), is the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language and whose native or co-native language could be one of the numerous languages of India. ILET is rapidly becoming an indispensable component of literary and cultural studies. Given the multi lingual composition of Indian society and the status of English as one of the two official languages, the state patronage of ILET is inevitable. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

What is IWE and What is ILET? 8 There is a difference between Indian writings in English (IWE) and Indian Literatures in English Translation (ILET). The Indian writers write in English for readers who’s mental set up can relate only those words that illustrate, match, and affiliate the Indian experiences in English. But Indian writing in English is so attractive to those readers outside India who cannot read our languages but yearn for the exotic and layered flavours of the material aspects of our country. They are under a powerful illusion that these Indian flavours are reaching them in English. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 9 Translation is a communicative process that involves linguistic and socio- linguistic factors. When we communicate what someone else has said, we do not always remember the exact words. We paraphrase, retell, substitute and make gestures. While translating, the translator faces many difficulties. Words like karma, may a, roti, and dhoti have no direct equivalents in European languages. Even though in common and simple English words, meanings can change in different cultures. The process of translation can be understood within following theoretical frames. There are six main principal translation theories: sociological, communicational, hermeneutic, linguistic, literary and semiotic. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 10 The Sociolinguistic Approach According to the sociolinguistic approach to translation, the social context defines what is and is not translatable and what is or is not acceptable through selection, filtering and even censorship. According to this point of view, a translator is inevitably the result of his or her society: our own sociocultural background influences the way we translate everything. The Communicative Approach This perspective is referred to as interpretive. Researchers like D. Seleskovitch and M. Lederer developed what they called the “theory of sense,” mainly rely on the experience of conference interpreting. According to this perspective, it is the meaning which should meaning must be translated, not language. Language is nothing just a form of vehicle for the message to be conveyed to the audience and can even can be a hurdle for a reader to understand. This proves why it is always better to deverbalize (instead of transcoding) once we translate. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 11 The Hermeneutic Approach The hermeneutic approach is majorly supported by the work of George Steiner. According to Steiner, translation is any kind of any human communication. In his book After Babel he explains that translation is not a science but an “exact art”. A true and perfect translator should be capable of becoming a writer in order to summarize what the author wants to say to his viewers in the original text. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 12 Linguistic Theory of Translation Translation is a process of transferring content and meaning from one language-culture into another. A translator is usually in dilemma to decide the equivalents in the source language and target language. Translators use three approaches to translation depending on the language unit they focus on. They are: • Translation at the level of word (word for word translation) • Translation at the level of sentence, and • Conceptual translation www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 13 Translation and Literary Theory A literary text like a poem is unique, complete and original. In translation of literature, problem arises in searching the equivalent textual and literary material of the source language in the target language. Literature incorporates literary as well as metaphorical language. It is important for the translator to decide what part of the language must be reproduced in the TL text. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION – THEORIES 14 Translation and Cultural Theory Translation involves two different languages and cultures. The translator is one to prioritize certain cultural aspects in the source language text and to what limit it is essential and possible to translate them into the target language text. For example while translating terms like maama, periappa and chitappa, saying \"uncle\" in English will not give the correct meaning in all contexts. Translation has to be faithful to both languages and cultures. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TYPES 15 Approach-based Classification (a)Literal Translation Literal translation is a translation that follows closely the form of the source language. It is also known as word for word, line by line turning of an author's words from one language into another. This the best option for translating text where the form is as important as the content such as great speeches, autobiographies, literary work. Literal translation is the word for word, line by line turning of an author's words from one language into another. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TYPES 16 Approach-based Classification (b) Transliteration Transliteration refers to the manner in which one reads and pronounces the words and sentences of one language using the letters and special symbols of another language. Transliteration is of great help in the situations where one does not know the script of a language but knows to speak and understand the language, nevertheless. Here are some examples of Roman transliteration used to represent texts of Indian languages, especially Sanskrit. Iswara Eswaraa eesvara spfel prarthana praarthanaa prarthana Rashi rusi rishi. Transliteration is used in situations where the original script is not available to write down a word in that script. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TYPES 17 Approach-based Classification (c) Transcreation Transcreation is a concept used in the field of translation studies to describe the practice of adapting a message from one language to another, while maintaining its intent, style, tone, and context .In instances where word for word translation may not be effective, the concept of transcreation comes into effect. Transcreation is the creative adaptation of source language material in the target language. It adapts the material in a culturally relevant manner in order for it to reach the target at an emotional and intellectual level. Successful transcreation is based on a thorough knowledge of local environment, practices and details specific to a given culture and country. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TYPES 18 Literary Translation It deals with the translation of literary texts. The translator cannot take literary language at face value. It has a symbolic value. Translators of literary texts should keep in mind the metaphorical language used in the literary text of the source language and try to retain its value while translating. The translator should aim to convey not just the sense, but the idiom too, for the appeal to remain intact. Translations should give the 'feel'/ essence of the language. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

TRANSLATION: APPROACHES AND TYPES 19 Literary Translation Features of Literary Translation Literary translation is undertaken by a translator with the primary aim of making available to the reader in the target language (TL) those literary texts which were written originally in another language (SL) but which according to him/ her ought also, to be read by readers of the target language. Now, texts of creative literature have certain features which distinguish them from other kind of texts, for instance, scientific and technical texts. A translator of literary texts ought to pay due attention to these distinguishing features and 'translate' them in an appropriate manner. Let us hook at some of the main differences between the two. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literary Translation versus Scientific and Technical 20 Translation A work of creative translation-a story, poem, novel. play or piece of prose-is written with the aim of 'conveying' not only some significant ideas but also 'evoking' a particular 'emotional response'. A story about ghosts, for instance, may fill its readers with a sense of fear and also give its readers information about supernatural beings. A piece of creative literature, therefore, appeals to the mind as well as the heart. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literary Translation versus Scientific and Technical 21 Translation Scientific translation is the translation of scientific texts, thus a special knowledge will be required. These texts require a deep knowledge of both the source and target languages, as well as a proper understanding of the subject. ... Collaboration between linguists and subject specialists is really common in this case It aims primarily at conveying some information or discussing some facts or phenomena. There is no emotional appeal in such pieces of writing. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Similarly, if by reading the translation of the poems of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, the 22 readers' hearts are not filled with a sense of pride for their motherland, the translation will not be considered appropriate. If the English translations of the stories or novels of Munshi Prem Chand, an outstanding writer of Hindi and Urdu, fail to evoke a response of disgust and anger against certain social evils which the author had successfully elicited from his original readership in Hindi and Urdu, the translation will not be considered 'successful'. A translator of scientific or technical texts, however, has no such responsibility of evoking special emotional responses. His j her primary task is to 'communicate' some significant information and as long as she is able to do the same, the translation is successful. For instance, there may be a text which discusses the effect of sunlight on plants. A translator of such a text, is expected to convey only the information contained in the original without evoking a response of. say, love or hatred, anger or disgust for such effects by the sunlight. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

These are generally based on 'cold' logic or .reoccurring. Their appeal is to the 23 mind rather than to the heart. These are, therefore, written generally in what is known as a 'frozen' style of writing. A translator of literary texts ought to keep this distinction in mind while translating. The translation of a poem or a story must try to 'evoke' a similar kind of response in the readers as did the original text. Let us illustrate this through an example. Most poems of Mahadevi Verma, a distinguished poetess of Hindi, are romantic in nature and evoke romantic feelings in their readers whereas the poems of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, another distinguished poet of Hindi, evoke among their readers feelings of patriotism or loyalty towards one's nation. A translation of Mahadevi Verma's poems will, therefore, 'fail' if it fails to evoke the emotional response of the 'pangs of love'. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

The Significance of Manner in Literary Translation 24 Another distinguishing feature of literary writing is that in them both the content and manner in which this content is communicated, are significant. The manner in which an author 'conveys' his/her ideas or emotions is generally known as style. Every piece of literary writing, therefore, has two significant aspects-content and style. Now, style or manner of writing is what distinguishes one writer from another. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

The Significance of Manner in Literary Translation 25 In other words, two writers may choose to write about the same subject but what will distinguish one from the other will be his or her style of writing. To take an example, both Mahadevi Verma and Jaishankar Prasad, another Romantic poet of Hindi, have written about the pangs of love but their individual manner of writing their style-make them quite different from each other. Style plays as equally important role in distinguishing between story writers too. Translators, therefore, have to pay equal attention to style and content while translating a literary text. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literal versus Free Translation 26 An ideal translation is one which translates all the words of a text and only those no more. no less. As we have seen, no two languages have exactly similar structures syntactic as well as semantic. That is to say. different languages have different ways of arranging words in order to frame sentences that convey meaning. A word or expression may at times need elaboration in a translation. Alternatively, it may be possible to condense a longer expression into either a single word or shorter expression in a translated version. Let us take some examples to illustrate the difference. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literal versus Free Translation 27 Prem Chand's Shatranj ke Khiladi the following sentence occurs: Shatranj Tash, Ganjifa khelne se buddhi tez hoti he. Now, this can be translated literally as 'Playing chess, cards and ganjifa sharpens the intellect'. Here is another sentence from the same text Lukhnow wilasita ke rang me duba hua the.Its literal translation would read like this: 'Lucknow was sunk into the colors of worldly pleasures'. But an expression like 'the colors of worldly pleasures' hardly makes any sense in English. So, we will need a free translation for this sentence: 'Lucknow was immersed in worldly pleasures. We have seen that in some cases literal translation is possible whereas in others we need free translation. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literal versus Free Translation The extent to which free translation is necessary will depend, among 28 other things on the historical relationship between the SL and the TL. That is to say, if these languages have developed from a common 'mother' language or have come in contact with each other for various reasons then they may have structures which are similar. On the other hand, if these languages have descended from different Language 'families' and have had no contact, their structures may be very different. For example, in the Indo-European family of languages, German and Sanskrit are said to have similarities in structure. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literal versus Free Translation 29 The difficulties of a translator will be in direct proportion to the linguistic distance and cultural distance between the SL and the TL. If such a distance is negligible or small, a translator can undertake an almost literal translation. However, if the distance is significant or large, s/he may have to resort to making changes in the sentence structure in order to convey the meaning accurately. Cultural distance between the two languages involved in a translation is quite often responsible for a writer resorting to free translation. This is particularly true of culturebound words or expressions like idioms, phrasal verbs, similes and metaphors which may not have equivalents in the TL. Their translation, then is freer than literal. Let us take another example from Shatranj Ke Khiladi: Aapka Namak Khate he. Now try and think howyou would translate this. In an English translation of the story Professor Gurdial Malilc has put it as 'eat your salt' which, as can be seen, is a literal translation. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

Literal versus Free Translation 30 However, the expression is meaningless for a native speaker of English since in the English language they do not use such an expression in the sense that it is used in Hindi. This literal translation, therefore, is inappropriate. Here, a free translation like 'aim beholden to you' may have been more appropriate. To know a balance between literal and free translation has always been a major problem for the translator. However, the aim should be to take minimal liberties with the sentence-structure of the SL without sacrificing the meaning of the original. We h4ve discussed some of the main features of literary translation. Before we move to the next second let us first do this exercise. www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL

31 THANK YOU www.cuidol.in Unit-1(MAP-607) All right are reserved with CU-IDOL