Vibhasha: an ideal publication for translators
by K. S. Sivakumaran
Vibhasha is the name given to a bulletin in three languages, Sinhala, Thamil and
English. It's private circulated and has not been on sale for more than two years. It
comes out from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a well-known
non-governmental organisation (NGO). Some bitter hardliners are averse to NGOs as
a rule, even when such institutions do positive things that benefit the community at
large. The "Vibhasha" project is such a good venture. What does "Vibhasha" (a
Sanskrit word) set out to do? Prof. Arjuna Parakrama (former journalist of the Daily
News and a producer of trilingual plays) in the English Department of the University of
Peradeniya heads this project. I would like to add here that Arjuna and his equally
talented siblings are the children of famous parents, Sali and Sita Parakrama that held
sway over the electronic and print media by their productive contributions half a
century ago.
Let's go back to "Vibhasha". This is what is lined up as its programme: designed to
generate a culture and theory of translation as well as to foster mutual enrichment
among Sri Lanka's three main languages. "Vibhasha" aims to disseminate disciplinary
knowledge, making it accessible to a wide and diverse audience, and to provide both
a learning opportunity and the recognition of skills through certification in translation
studies, to all interested across the country.
We all know that Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the well-known political analyst
heads the CPA. Dr PS who hails from the illustrious Saravanamuttu family grew up in
Africa and therefore is not very familiar with our indigenous languages as he studied
in the English medium. His mother is the famous exponent of ballet in this country,
none other than Oosha Saravanamuttu. Paikiasothy's father, I believe, was in the
foreign service.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Dr PS speaking in Sinhala the other day on a TV
programme. I wish that he spoke in Thamil as well. I also wish that our extreme
patriotic elements at least speak colloquial Thamil and then learn what the real
grievances of the minorities in this country are instead of spitting vituperative hatred in
a mono-language. The Thamilians and Muslims, by necessity, could at least manage
to speak even in broken Sinhala. But the majority of Sinhalas feel demeaned speaking
"Demala" and would increasingly study Hindi, French, German, Russian or Japanese
judging by the number of sophisticated young among them following different
language courses. The prejudice against Thamilians and their language is generated
more by extreme nationalist forces in the country encouraged by some journalists in
the Sinhala and English media.
Where does the CPA stand?
"Vibhasha" is the Translation Programme of the CPA. "CPA is an independent,
non-partisan organisation which was formed in 1996 in the firm belief that the civil
society contribution to public policy is vital and in need of strengthening."
In volume 02, issue 04 (July 2005) of the monthly bulletin of "Vibhasha", there is a
useful article on "Translation and Practice". It says:
"The ideal translation will be accurate as to meaning and natural as to the receptor
language forms used. An intended audience who is unfamiliar with the source text will
readily understand it. The success of translation is measured by how closely it
measures up to those ideals`85"
Prof. S. Sivasegeram (Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya) is one of the
country's fine Thamil poets. He also engages in literary criticism. He has authored
many books in Thamil and a few in English. He has translated into Thamil some poems
from foreign languages.
He has written a guiding article on the "Problems of translation in the Professions". I
hope some of our professionals would read his article and benefit from it. Excerpts:
"The translator needs to be fully conscious of what is recognised as the needs of the
target group of readers or listeners. Thus, translation as an end in itself can only be a
linguistic ritual`85 The professions use technical terms whose meanings quite often
deviate from the way the same terms would have been interpreted in standard
language. The way meanings are assigned to each technical term is in itself subject to
change, owing to advances in the relevant field of study`85 The case for a set of
consistent glossaries in the sciences, technology, medicine, law, commerce and other
processionals community, effective utilization of translation effort and avoidance of a
breakdown in communication in inter-disciplinary activities are among important
considerations`85As pointed out earlier, despite the value of a self-contained and
consistent glossary, technical terms change with time. This may be due to
developments within the field of study and because of interaction between the
specialist and society. In general, social practice takes precedence over legislation in
such matters`85 The problem of translation remains as serious in creative writing and,
again as in creative writing. A good translation needs to be faithful to the source but
not at the expense of clarity of communication`85A translation is a social act.
Therefore, the question of the target group of readers or listeners is important to any
translator."
Prof. S. Sivasegeram has made an observation that might interest mathematicians.
Maybe Prof. Nalin Silva might agree with this:
"In fact, the language of mathematical formulation is consistent with most European
languages, so that a scientific or mathematical formula or _expression involving
symbols can read with ease across linguistic borders. Whereas, even the simplest
mathematical equation constitutes a breach of grammatical rules in Thamil, Sinhala
and probably several other South Asian languages`85"
There are other articles also in this particular issue. Every article is divided into
paragraphs and translation of each paragraph is given in Sinhala and Thamil.
"Vibhasha" conducts a course in translation for the young and old. The classes are
held simultaneously in all three languages. That is to say if a lecturer speaks in one
particular language, then it is interpreted simultaneously in the other two languages.
Students from different communities sit together. This is an excellent arrangement
because the students meet, exchange ideas and try to understand the other
languages. I noticed Emeritus professor`A0Carlo Fonseka, an excellent stylist in
English, and Emeritus professor in Sinhala Tissa Kariyawasam, author of work on
Sinhala folk theatre, among the erudite`A0 lecturers.
I must thank the trilinguist S. Sivagrunathan and the co-coordinator Jyothi and
assistant Kapila for inviting me to be one of the discussants on the methods of
translation. I enjoyed speaking to students from different communities in English,
Thamil and a faulty Sinhala (Sivagurunathan came to my rescue in polishing up my
expressions!)
What should be undertaken by the State towards an urgent translation programme, an
NGO (despite criticisms of such institutions from hardliners) is proceeding with this
urgent task. Thank you Prof. Arjuna Parakrama.