Thinking activity: Traslation studies

 

Hello everyone,

This blog is based on Traslation studies, assigned by proffessor Dr. Dilip Barad sir, in which i'm going to explore generative AI for the translation of different poems.

Let us examine Faiz Ahmed, Faiz's Urdu poem "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat Mirii Mehboob Na Maang" into Hindi and English. Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat is a masterpiece of Urdu literature.

Original Poem:

 میں نے سمجھا مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ تھا کہ تو ہے تو درخشاں ہے حیات

تیرا غم ہے تو غم دہر کا جھگڑا کیا ہے

تیری صورت سے ہے عالم میں بہاروں کو ثبات

تیری آنکھوں کے سوا دنیا میں رکھا کیا ہے

تو جو مل جائے تو تقدیر نگوں ہو جائے

یوں نہ تھا میں نے فقط چاہا تھا یوں ہو جائے

اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا

راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا

ان گنت صدیوں کے تاریک بہیمانہ طلسم

ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب میں بنوائے ہوئے

جا بہ جا بکتے ہوئے کوچہ و بازار میں جسم

خاک میں لتھڑے ہوئے خون میں نہلائے ہوئے

جسم نکلے ہوئے امراض کے تنوروں سے

پیپ بہتی ہوئی گلتے ہوئے ناسوروں سے

لوٹ جاتی ہے ادھر کو بھی نظر کیا کیجے

اب بھی دل کش ہے ترا حسن مگر کیا کیجے

اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا

راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا

مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ

ویڈیو

Hindi Translation:

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब न मांग
था कि तू है तो दरख़्शां है हयात
तेरा ग़म है तो ग़म-ए-दहर का झगड़ा क्या है

तेरी सूरत से है आलम में बहारों को सबात
तेरी आँखों के सिवा दुनिया में रखा क्या है

तू जो मिल जाए तो तक़दीर निगूं हो जाए
यूँ न था, मैंने फ़क़त चाहा था, यूँ हो जाए

और भी दुख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा
राहतें और भी हैं, वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

अनगिनत सदियों के तारीक बहिमाना तिलिस्म
रेशम-ओ-अटलस-ओ-कमख़ाब में बुनवाए हुए

जाबजाब बिकते हुए कूचा-ओ-बाज़ार में जिस्म
ख़ाक में लथड़े हुए, ख़ून में नहलाए हुए

जिस्म निकले हुए अमराज़ के तंदूरों से
पीप बहती हुई, गलते हुए नासूरों से

लौट जाती है उधर को भी नज़र, क्या कीजे
अब भी दिलकश है तेरा हुस्न, मगर क्या कीजे

और भी दुख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा
राहतें और भी हैं, वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब न मांग

English Translation:

Do not ask of me, my love, the love I once gave you.
For life was radiant when I thought only of you.
Your sorrow was my own, and the world’s quarrels seemed trivial.

Your beauty gave permanence to the seasons’ bloom,
And beyond your gaze, nothing else held meaning.

If I could have you, destiny would bow its head,
But it was not to be; I merely wished it so.

There are other sorrows in the world besides love,
Other comforts too, beyond the union of lovers.

The dark, brutal spells of uncountable centuries,
Woven into silk, satin, and brocade.

Bodies for sale in every alley and marketplace,
Smeared with dust, bathed in blood.

Bodies emerging from the ovens of affliction,
Pus dripping, wounds rotting.

My eyes turn even now to these sights—what can I do?
Your beauty still enchants, but what can I do?

There are other sorrows in the world besides love,
Other comforts too, beyond the union of lovers.

Do not ask of me, my love, the love I once gave you.

The translations of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat Meri Mehboob Na Maang” into Hindi and English aim to preserve the poem’s essence by addressing its syntax, metre, sound, grammar, and cultural connotations. The Hindi translation, rooted in a shared linguistic and cultural tradition, remains closer to the original structure, effectively capturing its syntax, sound, and symbolic depth. For example, lines like “और भी दुख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा” successfully convey the rhythm and emotional intensity of the Urdu verse. However, longer lines such as “पीप बहती हुई, गलते हुए नासूरों से” exhibit uneven metre, which slightly interrupts the poetic flow.

The English translation, on the other hand, prioritizes clarity and accessibility, often modifying the syntax to align with English grammatical rules. Lines such as “Do not ask of me, my love, the love I once gave you” effectively convey the essence of the original but lose some of its layered complexity and lyrical charm. Cultural connotations also become diluted, as seen in “Silk, satin, and brocade” replacing “रेशम-ओ-अटलस-ओ-कमख़ाब,” where the richness and emotional resonance of the regional imagery are diminished.

Gemini : 

A Note on Translating Poetry

Translating poetry is a delicate art that involves more than just converting words from one language to another. It requires a deep understanding of both languages, ¹ their cultures, and the nuances of poetic expression. Factors such as syntax, meter, sound, grammar, and cultural connotations all play crucial roles in shaping the meaning and impact of a poem.  

1. freesourcelibrary.com

freesourcelibrary.com

The Challenge of Translating Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Faiz Ahmed Faiz is one of the most celebrated Urdu poets of the 20th century. His poetry is renowned for its depth of emotion, social commentary, and exquisite use of language. Translating his work into other languages, especially Hindi and English, presents a unique set of challenges. This is primarily due to:

• Nuances of Urdu: Urdu is a language rich in Persian and Arabic loanwords, and its poetic tradition is deeply influenced by these languages.
• Cultural Context: Faiz's poetry often references specific historical events, cultural symbols, and social realities of the Indian subcontinent.
• Poetic Devices: His use of imagery, metaphors, and allusions is highly sophisticated and demands careful attention.

Proposed Translations

Hindi Translation

While Urdu and Hindi are closely related, there are subtle differences in their vocabulary and usage, particularly in poetic contexts. Here's a possible Hindi translation of Faiz's poem, attempting to maintain the original meaning and poetic form:

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब ना माँग मैंने समझा था कि तू है तो दमकती है ज़िंदगी तेरा ग़म है तो ग़म-ए-दुनिया का झगड़ा क्या है तेरी सूरत से है आलम में बहारों को स्थिरता तेरी आँखों के सिवा दुनिया में रखा क्या है

तु जो मिल जाए तो किस्मत नगण्य हो जाए यूँ न था मैंने सिर्फ चाहा था यूँ हो जाए

और भी दुःख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा राहतें और भी हैं वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

अनगिनत सदियों के अंधेरे भयानक जादू रेशम और अटलस और कमख़ाब में बुनवाए हुए जा-ब-जा बिकते हुए कोचे और बाज़ार में मिट्टी में लथड़ते हुए ख़ून में नहाए हुए

जिसम निकले हुए बीमारियों के भट्टियों से पीप बहती हुई सड़ते हुए घावों से

लौट जाती है इधर को भी नज़र क्या कीजिए अब भी दिलकश है तेरा हुस्न मगर क्या कीजिए

और भी दुःख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा राहतें और भी हैं वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब ना माँग

English Translation

Translating into English presents even more challenges due to the vast differences in the two languages. but the possible English translation

Don't ask for my first love, my beloved I thought that with you, life would shine bright Your sorrow is the world's sorrow, what's the fight? Your beauty gives the world's spring a steady light Beyond your eyes, what else is worth my sight?

If you were mine, my fate would be undone I had only wished, not to have won

There are other pains in this world, besides love And comforts beyond the comfort of a dove

In countless centuries, dark magic's spell Woven in silk, atlas, and brocade as well Sold everywhere, in every street and square Tossed in dust, bathed in blood and care

Bodies emerging from sicknesses' fire Pus oozing from wounds, festering higher

Even now, my eyes return to you Your beauty still enchants, what am I to do?

There are other pains in this world, besides love And comforts beyond the comfort of a dove

Don't ask for my first love, my beloved.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Urdu poetry, while generally employing a straightforward syntax, presents unique challenges for translation. While the Hindi translation effectively maintains the original's syntactic flow, the English translation necessitates adjustments to accommodate the distinct grammatical structures of the English language. This often involves subtle shifts in word order and phrase arrangement, aiming to preserve the core meaning while maintaining clarity and fluency in the target language. The original Urdu poem likely adheres to a specific meter, contributing to its rhythmic and musical quality. The Hindi translation effectively replicates this metrical pattern, ensuring a similar rhythmic flow in the Hindi version. However, achieving metrical equivalence in English poses a significant challenge. The English translation may need to employ a different meter or even utilize free verse to capture the essence of the poem's rhythm and musicality while accommodating the distinct metrical structures of English poetry. Urdu poetry, including Faiz's work, is renowned for its rich use of sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme. These devices contribute significantly to the poem's aural beauty and emotional impact. While the Hindi translation strives to replicate these sound effects, achieving perfect phonetic equivalence across languages is a formidable task. The English translation faces even greater challenges, as reproducing the intricate sound patterns of Urdu in English often requires creative adaptations and the use of alternative sound devices. The original Urdu poem adheres to the grammatical rules of the Urdu language. The Hindi translation effectively maintains this grammatical accuracy within the framework of Hindi grammar. However, translating grammatical structures from Urdu to English can present certain challenges. The English translation must ensure grammatical correctness while maintaining clarity and fluency, which may occasionally necessitate adjustments to the original grammatical structure.

Cultural Connotations

Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry is deeply rooted in South Asian culture, drawing upon imagery, metaphors, and allusions that may not be readily understood by an English-speaking audience. While the Hindi translation, due to the shared cultural context, can more effectively preserve these cultural connotations, the English translation requires careful consideration. The translator may need to provide additional context, utilize culturally equivalent imagery, or employ explanatory notes to bridge the cultural gap and ensure that the English-speaking reader can fully appreciate the poem's cultural significance.

Overall Assessment

Both the Hindi and English translations of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poem face unique challenges. The Hindi translation, benefiting from the close linguistic relationship between Urdu and Hindi, has a greater potential to preserve the original's syntax, meter, and cultural undertones. However, the English translation, while facing greater obstacles, can still effectively convey the poem's core message and emotional impact to an English-speaking audience. Both translations can be further refined through careful analysis and revision. Seeking feedback from native speakers of Hindi and English can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement, enhancing the accuracy and effectiveness of the translations in conveying the essence of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry.

In conclusion, the process of translating Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poem Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat Meri Mehboob Na Maang highlights the intricate challenges inherent in translation studies, especially when dealing with poetry. The task requires not only linguistic precision but also a deep understanding of cultural nuances, poetic devices, and the emotional undertones embedded in the original text. While the Hindi translation, due to the shared linguistic and cultural context, can more faithfully capture the essence of the poem, the English translation demands creative adaptations to convey the same depth of meaning and beauty to a wider audience. This exploration underscores the importance of balancing fidelity to the original text with the need to adapt it for the target language's grammatical, cultural, and poetic conventions. Ultimately, translation is an art form that goes beyond mere word-for-word conversion, and as demonstrated in the translations of Faiz's work, it is a nuanced process that strives to preserve the original's emotional resonance and literary richness.

Thinking Activity: Research and Writing

This blog is written as part of a task assigned by Prakruti Ma'am and centers on the theme of 'Research and Writing.' It explores various questions that students may encounter during their journey into this topic.

1).In your opinion, should research always strive to achieve something new and creative or is it ok to pursue an existing direction and arrive at newer understanding of the same? In which one of these two categories would you classify the topic that you have chosen for your dissertation?

Answer:

Research can take various forms, and both approaches—striving for something new and creative or deepening the understanding of an existing direction—are equally valid and valuable. While groundbreaking discoveries often garner attention, revisiting established directions with fresh perspectives can lead to profound insights and nuanced understanding.

My dissertation topic, "Fading Truths: Memory, Aging, and the Unreliable Narrator in Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World and Julian Barnes’ The Only Story," falls into the second category. It explores existing themes and literary devices but does so in a way that may offer new interpretations and connections between the texts. This approach enriches the discourse on memory, aging, and the unreliable narrator, while deepening our understanding of these works and their relevance to broader human experience

Paraphrase version of the given paragraph

Separating any artistic form or movement from its influences and related works is rarely productive. When critics isolate creative practices from their shaping contexts, they risk adopting a limited perspective. Though this idea might seem self-evident, revisiting such fundamental truths is essential, particularly during times of change. When something "new" emerges, we often disconnect it from the contexts that played a key role in its development. For instance, understanding electronic literature requires recognizing its ties to traditional literature, gaming, and sensory experiences. How can we critically evaluate anything without such reference points? While it’s impossible to explore everything, the most effective approach involves learning from the past, building on established foundations, and highlighting aspects that merit deeper attention.

1). Is the paraphrase approximately the same length as the original passage?

Answer:

That's correct. The paraphrase preserves the original meaning and conveys the same ideas in a reworded manner, ensuring that no sentences or phrases have been directly copied. It maintains the original length while providing a fresh articulation of the content.

2). Has any part of the passage been copied word for word?

Answer:

Yes, Certain elements, like the double-inverted comma word "new" and the term "electronic literature," as well as a few key terms central to the passage's meaning, have been retained in the paraphrase. This is intentional, as these terms are essential to accurately conveying the original ideas and cannot be replaced without altering their significance. However, the overall structure and wording have been rephrased to ensure originality while preserving the core message.

3). Does the paraphrase have the same meaning as the passage?

Answer:

Yes, The paraphrase effectively retains the original passage's meaning, emphasizing the necessity of considering context in understanding artistic forms and the importance of drawing on prior knowledge to analyze and interpret new ideas. It stays true to the central theme while presenting the ideas in a fresh way.

What is the full form of CIS? Discuss some of the types of searches which can be employed to search for sources in a library equipped with CIS.

Answer:

The full form of CIS is Central Information System.

As outlined in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, the Central Information System in an academic library integrates a range of resources to assist users in their research. It typically includes the library’s catalog (encompassing books, periodicals, electronic sources, and audiovisual materials), bibliographic and full-text databases, curated websites, and practical information such as the library’s location, hours, and policies.

Types of Searches in a CIS-Enabled Library:

1. Author Searches: Identify works by entering an author’s name.

2. Title Searches: Locate resources by providing the full or partial title.

3. Subject Heading Searches: Find materials grouped under specific subject categories.

4. Call Number Searches: Use the call number to retrieve detailed bibliographic information.

5. Keyword Searches: Search for specific terms within titles, subjects, or descriptions.

6. Boolean Searches: Apply operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine or exclude search results.

7. Expanded Searches: Use truncation or wildcards to retrieve all variations of a term or related subjects.

8. Advanced Filters: Narrow results by criteria such as publication year, language, format (e.g., books or audiovisuals), or collection location.

Exploring the Words of 2024: Brain Rot and Manifest

Exploring the Words of 2024: Brain Rot and Manifest

This blog post is a part of my Sunday reading assignment by Dilip Sir, where I delve into the significance of two key terms that have shaped discussions in 2024—Brain Rot and Manifest. 

Introduction

Every year, certain words become cultural markers, reflecting societal issues and aspirations. In 2024, Brain Rot and Manifest stood out as terms that encapsulate the challenges and hopes of our time. These words are more than just vocabulary—they represent how we respond to a world driven by technology and self-improvement trends. Whether it’s dealing with the exhaustion of constant connectivity or finding ways to take charge of our dreams, these terms give insight into the dual nature of modern life.

How These Words Define Modern Life

Brain Rot is a term that describes the overwhelming fatigue caused by excessive screen time. From binge-watching to endless scrolling, digital media often dominates our daily routines, leaving us mentally drained. The concept highlights the exhaustion people feel as they try to keep up with the non-stop influx of notifications, content, and updates. It’s not just a joke about being glued to screens; it’s a real struggle that many of us face today.

On the other hand, Manifest embodies optimism and self-belief. It originates from the idea that visualizing your aspirations can help turn them into reality. In a world filled with uncertainties, the practice of manifesting allows individuals to focus on their goals and work toward achieving them. The popularity of ideas like affirmations, goal-setting, and visualization reflects a growing desire to take control of life amidst chaos.

My Personal Connection

I’ve experienced Brain Rot firsthand. There have been times when endlessly scrolling through social media or consuming content online left me feeling completely drained. For instance, I’ve found myself watching short videos for hours without gaining anything meaningful from them, only to realize later how much time I’ve wasted. My friends often share similar experiences, acknowledging the mental exhaustion caused by overusing digital platforms. Though we might joke about it, it’s a challenge that quietly affects our mental health.

At the same time, I’ve also turned to practices inspired by Manifest to regain focus and stay motivated. For instance, instead of letting distractions pull me down, I’ve started writing down my daily goals in a planner. This small habit has helped me stay more productive and reminded me of the progress I can make, even in the middle of life’s chaos. I’ve also found inspiration in the stories of people around me who have shared how they turned their ambitions into reality, such as starting their dream business or mastering a new skill. These stories are reminders that success begins with clarity and intention.

Conclusion 

Words like Brain Rot and Manifest show how language reflects the world we live in. While Brain Rot captures the challenges of staying connected in a fast-paced digital era, Manifest inspires us to take charge of our goals and pursue meaningful change. Together, these terms highlight the tension between burnout and growth, distraction and determination. Understanding these words can help us navigate modern life with greater awareness and balance. As technology continues to evolve, the lessons from these terms remind us to stay mindful, seek balance, and focus on what truly matters.

By using words that resonate with our struggles and dreams, we’re not just communicating—we’re shaping how we view ourselves and our world. These words encourage us to reflect on how we live and inspire us to strive for a more intentional and fulfilling future.