By Kajari Guha

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is really a large matter — it’s the difference between lightning and a lightning bug” - Mark Twain

The other day I had been watching an award-winning film in the French language. I admit in broad daylight that I hardly know a bit of the French language. The characters of the film had been talking in the same language, but I was unable to follow their dialogues. The scenes also were shot against the French background. Despite all these I was fully immersed in the film, relishing each and every episode. Do you know what was the secret behind it? It was none other than the Subtitles written in English. Now unless somebody knows both languages, it is impossible to produce such beautiful subtitles. This is the charisma of Translation. The pie chart shows that 65% of people of a nation need translation and 35% may know more than one language. Thus translation plays a momentous role in our life.

What is Translation?

Translation changes something into new forms that can bring people closer. This is the communication of meaning from one source to another. The latest trend of learning foreign languages caters to the increasing need for translation in the present scenario where globalization plays the most important role. Today we are living in a society that is based on Utility and translation fulfills the criteria of a utilitarian society.

What is Utility?

 Utility relates to "the quality of being useful". This is the keyword in our life today. If you know more than your native language, you would be able to communicate globally. You would be able to translate the other language into your own native language and vice versa. I felt this while watching the French film. I do not know French, but I know English. It was easier for me to watch the film as I knew English and my native language as well. So translation paves the way to enjoy as well as to earn. It has the quality of being useful.

How to earn from Translation?

You all wish to grow your business globally. For this communication is very essential. You have to learn both languages to communicate from the sender to the receiver. The language barrier can be overcome by translation only. You can easily earn through translation. The business concerns need translators to grow their business. However, you have to be tech-savvy to do this translation business.

Preference for Native language

English is a global language, but some people use it as a second language. Others prefer it as a first language. To sell a product to English speakers, you have to learn the language. A survey says that 75%of customers would like to buy their products in their native language. It has been found that in India 70% of buyers love to buy the content in their first languages.

What is tech-savvy?

Nowadays Technology has an edge over everything. You are living with Artificial Intelligence. Thus you have to be too fast to keep pace with the changing world. You have to be proficient in the use of technology, especially computers. Translation can be done faster with the help of software. This type of translation is very favorable for instructions, medical, legal, or travel-related issues. The language can be mechanically incorporated very quickly, yet it requires human emotions. The translation must be culture- oriented. The typical word by word translation cannot give you the flavor of the language. You must have a feel about the culture of the country as the language reflects the nuances of a country's culture.

What is an emotion related to Translation?

Yesterday I came across a poem written on Independence Day. It was like this.

Fluflufluflufluttering flag

Cluclucluclucluttering rock

Grogrogogrogrowling trident

Grugrugrugrugrumbling brat

Claclaclaclaclamouring hands

Rararararattling brands

Cuccuccucuckoo in the nest

Unity is the best.

The question is how this poem can be translated with the same flavor of onomatopoeia. The language in which it must be translated must reproduce the same sound pattern. The translator must feel the sounds to get it translated. This refers to human touch or emotional quotient. What is most needed are the context and societal structure to understand the two entire languages. It involves the understanding of people and the country where the language is spoken.

“Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture.”

— Anthony Burgess