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Articles: Literature | Telugu Fiction in English translation
- Dr. Rajeshwar Mittapalli
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In certain cases the translated text may even be a technically enhanced revision of the Telugu original. Some authors do field-test their stories and novels before submitting for publication and in the process incorporate several inputs offered by way of suggestions and advice by friends and well-wishers. I see no reason why a translator should not offer such inputs during the course of translation if the story or the novel stands to gain as a result.
Conclusion
The greatness of Telugu fiction may not be known all that well outside Andhra Pradesh but we do have a large number of novels and short stories which are truly world class. There surely are many Tolstoys and Tagores among the Telugu writers waiting to be introduced to fame. The translators can play a major role in bringing them into focus and draw the world’s attention to them. True, the translator’s is a thankless and strenuous job. It is basically a labour of love. But my contention is that it need not continue to be so. The computers have taken away much of the drudgery. And with institutional support and sponsorship translation can get a shot in the arm. Institutional support can often do wonders. The great work of translation Classic Telugu Short Stories is believed to be the result of a UGC fellowship awarded to the translator.
The Sahitya Akademi, the UGC and the Ministry of HRD can thus identify and encourage able and established translators by offering them schemes like “Translator in Residence,” or fellowships like JRF/SRF in Translation and so on. Instituting cash prizes and awards also can go a long way in encouraging translation of literary works. Publishers can come forward to sponsor translation of great works of fiction from the regional languages. Universities can come forward to offer courses in translation and award M.Phil/Ph.D degrees for translation work in the language departments.
Above everything else the translator himself should reorient his thinking. He should know that his role is like that of Visvamitra who, according to the myth, recreated the world. He gives a new birth to the writers by introducing them to the world outside his linguistic community. Further, apart from serving the cause of the particular writer or writers he translates and the literature he belongs to, he promotes national integration and international understanding by enabling the people of other regions and nations to learn about his people, their culture and their ways of thinking. He should be therefore encouraged in every possible way.
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