A window into world literature
Literature can leave a lifetime impact on our minds. It helps us understand ourselves and the world around us, and it transcends boundaries through translation. This year's Ekushey book fair saw a large number of translated versions of world literature by prominent authors.
Curious booklovers were seen buying, flipping pages, and searching for books to satisfy their literary palate at Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday.
A large crowd was seen in front of the Oitijjhya pavilion. Shuvro, a student of North South University, said, "Translated books are like a window into world literature. However, translation has to be up to the mark as well for readers to enjoy them to its fullest."
Amjad Hossain Kajal, manager of Oitijjhya, said they have published five books, which are translated by writer Syed Shamsul Haq. They are: The Odyssey by Homer, The coming of the Kings by Ted Hughes, Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.
According to the Bangla Academy, 20 new translation books have been published at the fair till yesterday. However, it has been seen that this number is even higher.
Some of the translated literature include: Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo, translated by Anisu Zamman (Pathak Shamabesh); The Color Purple by Alice Walker, translated by Mostak Sharif (Batighar); Notes from Underground and The Meek One by Feodor Dostoevsky, translated by Mashiul Alam (Mowla Brothers); The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Santa Rickey (Aboshor).
Translator Mashiul Alam said, "Translation of literature is a complex phenomenon. It's not just translating word by word, a translator has to understand the subject and have a clear idea of what he or she is writing about. Besides, accuracy of the language is a must in this regard."
Another translator, Alam Khorshed said, "Translated version of literature is in high demand in the country. However, along the way, there are quite a few issues as well. The writer who translates books should also have knowledge on literature."
Robin Ahsan, publisher of Srabon Prokashoni, said, "We have to give special importance to translation so that we can offer world literature to our readers. Publishers need to pay extra attention to translated literature while translators have to be more skilled themselves."
Comments