The promise of translation

Translation helps in transcending the boundaries of language, and in India, it has immense scope for cross-cultural exchange, writes KRISHANU KASHYAP.

There has never been a better time to translate than it is now. Increased visibility, more readership and most importantly recognition – through awards, and quite a few of them – have brought translation to the mainstay of literary work from the corner it used to nestle in. But the question is: Are we doing enough?

Translation helps in transcending the boundaries of language. In India, it has immense scope for cross-cultural exchange as it brings into highlight the commonality in lived experiences.

But why translate, and especially, now?

Translations have become integral to the literary sphere today. Recognitions through the JCB Prize (India's richest literary award), DSC Prize, and the creation of Indian-language specific imprints like Harper Perennial, Westland Eka or Penguin Classics have furthered the cause of vernacular translations.

The JCB Prize has been won by a translated novel for two years consecutively. Out of the five total shortlisted novels, two were translations, which has been the case for the previous years as well. Translation fellowships are now being dispensed by organisations like New India Foundation, focussing on languages like Assamese, Bangla, Gujarati, among others. Additionally, Sahitya Akademi also awards translations annually. This is hefty investment and recognition for a field erstwhile situated in the periphery of literature, resulting in a spur of new readership, new translators willing to take up the mantle, and publishers searching for the best work.

The picture, however, isn't as rosy for all languages. The JCB Prize has been dominated by works in Malayalam, Tamil and Bengali. This is symptomatic of the greater trend, where the same languages occupy the apex of the translation pyramid, due to various factors such as lack of translators, non-support from publishers, among others. Assamese literature, in particular, only finds 14-odd translations from Assamese to English, in the National Translation Mission's webpage. This number is significantly higher in the case of another language like Bangla. This begs the question: why are we translating so less?

Translation will increase visibility and readership of vernacular literature. Kuladhar Saikia, President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, in a recent television interview, suggested that ensuring sufficient compensation for writing in the vernacular is most important. Translations can provide the framework for much needed additional streams of money, as it can reach a wider audience, not to mention accolades, fellowships, which provide firm grounding for the practice of writing (and to continue writing).

Many worry that translations will reduce the number of, for instance, texts written in Assamese. Or in other words, it would decrease reading of the vernacular language in the vernacular language. These worries are, however, unfounded. Translations – and structures of the same, like a translator's guild – will rather motivate more people to write in the vernacular language, knowing there are additional channels of readership and revenue, which are both accessible and available.

Translation, to and from the local language, will also help in addressing one of the most pressing literary concerns of our time. Reading in English has come to be exclusively associated with growth. One would read in English not for anything else but growth (of vocabulary, career prospects, etc). Availability of global texts in the local language will, therefore, counter this belief, to an extent – reshaping the belief as growth through any language, and particularly the local language, is possible.

Economics of translation apart, it will have social and cultural effects too. The global discourse on human rights, women empowerment, among others, translated into the vernacular will help locals situate it in their daily lives (EPW). Conversely, ideas and culture of the local region, say Assam, could find a place in the mainstream, which has been historically neglected.

Translation, however, will only attend to the supply side of the issue of readership and revenue. Meaning, it will only ensure sufficient texts are available in both languages. In isolation, it can achieve none of its desired purpose. An increase in demand will be equally important, which will lead to an organic growth of Assamese literature, that would in-turn require intervention from presiding bodies like the Asam Sahitya Sabha. Improving accessibility of language (understanding), relatability of text, aesthetics of book design, among others, can help in that regard.

There are, however, pitfalls in the road of translation. Critics argue it would only further dependence on a colonial language. Scholars like Rita Kothari say that language (and its translation) has become a discrete entity only in the modern era. Devotional Indian texts, even that of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, easily transferred from one language to another across East India (EPW). There are concerns over meanings getting 'lost in translation' as two similar meaning words can be understood differently, in different contexts (say regions).

However, in this new surge of investments in translation, the economic promise of it, and the socio-cultural visibility it ensures, there will be a bigger loss in non-translation.

(The writer is a student of Economics and Social Anthropology, Ashoka University)