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Bridging the gulf in ideas and understanding
By Ruwanthi Herat Gunaratne
Inadequate translations can lead to uncalled-for disasters, especially in a multi-linguistic country such as ours. Sri Lanka can speak of quite a number of translators, but unfortunately not an established translator community.

The University of Peradeniya has therefore implemented a four phase programme to introduce and study translation. According to Prof. Udaya Meddegama, Professor of Sinhala at the University of Peradeniya, an Exploratory Seminar on Translation was held in December last year. Based on its results and findings, a three- day seminar has been organized this July in Colombo.

This seminar which will be held from July 3-5 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute will be followed by a five week intensive course conducted by four foreign Professors who specialize in translation. Twenty-five trained translator teachers will then start a Post-graduate Diploma in Translation. The programme will be organized by the English, Sinhala and Tamil Departments of the University.

"Sri Lanka today is struggling with the complexities of many a post colonial country -central to many of the challenges is that of the issue of language," says Dr. Sumathy Sivamohan, Head of the Department of English at the University.

Why a specialized field such as this? "It is a necessity," says Prof. of English at the Peradeniya University Thiru Kandiah. "There are three main reasons that Translation Studies should be introduced to the University curriculum. First, incorrect translations can result in an inability to implement the Official Languages Act. This is a desperate need in the country. English which is considered the link language is not understood and studied by a vast majority.

"Second we live in a society where globalization is a key word.

"The first thought that pops into one's mind when thinking of globalization is that it should be understood in English. But in a multi-lingual society such as ours this too poses a challenge. The inability to correctly translate the global language into a language that we are comfortable with contributes to another problem.

"This in turn results in books, magazines and other such material being incorrectly translated.

"Finally national integration relies heavily on adequate translators," Prof. Kandiah points out.

A language is not simply a set of words, it's a dramatic statement. It is the method that one uses to transform ideas.

For example, a phrase such as "You are invading my space" cannot be adequately translated into either Sinhala or Tamil.

Such situations will cause a rift between cultures and hence a rift in ideas and understanding.

Among the well known academics attending and presenting papers at this seminar will be Prof. Rajendra Singh and Prof. Paul St. Pierre both of the University of Montreal, Canada, Prof. Otto Ikome from the University of Quebec, Canada and Prof. Probal Dasgupta from the University of Hyderabad, India. Contributing from the Sri Lankan perspective would be Prof. P. B. Meegaskumbura, Dr. Arjuna Parakrama, Dr. J. Uyangoda and Prof. S. Sivasekeram.

"The trend in not following a profession such as translating lies heavily in the fact that translators are not given the recognition they deserve," says Prof. Kandiah.

He feels that this seminar is sure to be a success simply because all three departments are playing an active role in it.

Prof. M. A. Nuhman, a tri-lingual and Senior Lecturer in Tamil at the University feels that, "It is a situation where we have to rely on translation as a tool for inter- ethnic, cultural and official communication. It is of infinite importance. Even in small countries such as Hong Kong, six out of seven universities provide undergraduate courses in translation."

Those interested in participating in the seminar should call over at the registration table early on July 3, as participation is limited.

Human cost of the conflict
By Esther Williams
"Freedom from fear is the new freedom Sri Lanka has gained after 20 years," declared Family Rehabilitation Centre Chairman, Desmond Fernando PC, speaking on the UN International Day in Support of Torture Victims. Expressing his appreciation to the new government for the cessation of hostilities, and the ceasefire agreement, Mr. Fernando said the FRC's role was now limited to taking care of previous victims, their families and their villages as there have been no new cases of torture victims since December last year.

In his address on June 26, the Chairman stressed the importance of Sri Lanka supporting the Draft Optional Protocol, established by a working group of the UN Economic and Social Council. The Protocol would establish a new international mechanism for the prevention of torture, by regular inspection of detention conditions and procedures at national and international levels. This, he said was already being done to some extent by the International Red Cross and the Human Rights Commission.

"Despite over 2000 years of civilisation and the technological revolution, human beings are the only creatures that engage in cruelty against their own kind," remarked the Minister of Economic Reforms, Science and Technology, Milinda Moragoda, in his keynote address.

Commenting on the significant changes, especially with regard to the dramatic reduction in the number of torture victims, since the UNF government took over, the Minister said that it was only a beginning and they still had a long way to go in the healing process of the nation that has been wounded by the conflict.

Calling for more active participation by the public and aggressive demands for action by civil societies, the Minister said that government and the people should move forward collectively to bring back peace and human dignity for all Sri Lankans. "Crime and violence in society has silenced the majority," said the Minister and said that if the public came forward the government would act as a catalyst in empowering those who want to support the process.

The Family Rehabilitation Centre (FRC) in Sri Lanka for the past 10 years has been working with victims of torture, through their 10 outreach centres located mainly in the north and east. In partnership with the International Red Cross they provide medical, psychiatric and legal aid to victims who at some point of time were subjected to torture under detention, the perpetrators being the state law enforcement forces. Their mission is to rehabilitate those exposed to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka through holistic care.

During the programme, a dramatic illustration on Torture, was enacted by the Rochelle Jansen Theatre Company. The powerful presentation helped the audience better appreciate the horror of torture and the human cost of the country's conflict, a reality in today's society that needs address.

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