PANAJI
National Book Trust (NBT), New Delhi, an apex body
established by the Government of India (Department of Higher
Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development) in the year
1957, inaugurated a live 3-Day workshop to translate children’s
books from English to Konkani, from April 11 to 13 at International
Centre Goa (ICG) at Dona Paula.
20 books are expected to be translated by 10 translators dur-
ing the workshop. Damodar (Bhai) Mauzo, renowned writer,
Gyanpeeth Award winner was the Chief Guest of the function.
The event was chaired by Lt Col Yuvraj Malik, Director, National
Book Trust, India. Other dignitaries present on the dais included
Guest of Honour, Dr Arun Sakhardande, President of Goa Konkani
Akademi, and Dr Bhushan Bhave, Coordinator of the workshop,
Convener of Konkani Advisory Board Sahitya Akadami New Delhi
and Principal of Vidya Prabodhini College, Parvari.
In his inaugural speech, Damodar Mauzo highlighted the dearth
of quality translation, saying that while a bad translation of a
good book, can ruin the book, even a good translation of a bad
book cannot save it. Comparing the role of a translator to sugar
that sweetens milk, he said the role of a translator is a quite
delicate task “ he needs to ensure that the simplicity and the
essence of the source text is maintained even in the translated
text. The litterateur also spoke about the need of the writers and
translators to change with the times “ the audiences, especially
when it comes to Children’s Literature, have changed drastically
since the childhoods of the writers and translators.
