English-Khasi Translation - IGNOU

[pic] School of Translation Studies and Training
IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training
Block 2
English-Khasi Translation
Unit One
Translating Language and Culture (English-Khasi) Unit Two
Translation and Education (English-Khasi) Unit Three
Translation and Tourism in Meghalaya Appreciation Programme in English-Khasi Translation EXPERTS COMMITTEE Prof. Streamlet Dkhar, Dept of Khasi, NEHU, Shillong
Dr Sylvanus Lamare, Principal, St Edmond's College, Shillong
Dr Kynpham Sing Nongkhynrih, Dept of English, NEHU, Shillong
Ms Eudora Khonglah, Dept of English, Lady Keane Girls College, Shillong
Dr Didcy Laloo, RD, Shillong, IGNOU
Mr E.P. Kharbih, Secretary, Dept of Education, Tura
Ms Esther Jes, Project Officer, Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education,
Tura
Dr Ananya S Guha, OSD, IIVET, IGNOU, Shillong
Dr Jagdish Sharma, SOTST, IGNOU, New Delhi
Dr Manjeet Baruah, SOTST, IGNOU, New Delhi PROGRAMME COORDINATORS School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST), IGNOU, New Delhi:
Dr Jagdish Sharma, SOTST, IGNOU, New Delhi
Dr Manjeet Baruah, SOTST, IGNOU, New Delhi IGNOU Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IIVET):
Dr Ananya S. Guha, OSD, IIVET, IGNOU, Shillong COURSE PREPARATION Block 1 Block 3
Unit One: Dr Manjeet Baruah Workbook: Prof.
Streamlet Dkhar
Unit Two: Dr Manjeet Baruah
Unit Three: Dr Jagdish Sharma Block 2
Unit Four: Dr Sylvanus Lamare
Unit Five: Ms Eudora Khonglah
Unit Six: Ms Esther Jes COURSE EDITING Ms Eudora Khonglah SECRETARIAL SUPPORT Ms. Mebarishisha Kharnaior, IIVET
Mr. Albert Jala, IIVET November, 2011
@IGNOU
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Block Introduction The previous block was a general introduction to various approaches to
translation and different uses of translation. This block is focused on
translation between English and Khasi languages. The first unit Translating
Language and Culture (English-Khasi) will introduce Khasi language and
culture and some of the important points to be remembered when translation
activities are undertaken between English and Khasi. The unit will also
illustrate the important role of translation in the development of Khasi
language. After reading the second unit Translation and Education (English-
Khasi), you will be able to identify the significance of translation in the
education sector, with special focus on Meghalaya. Through a number of case
illustrations, the unit will show how proficiency in translation is a major
help in the teaching-learning process. There are activities in the unit
which can also be conducted as part of classroom teaching to experiment
with effective classroom communication. The third unit of the block
Translation and Toursim in Meghalaya will show how translation and
interpretation proficiency can be a major tool for the development of
tourism in Meghalaya. There are also activities which will allow you to
practice Khasi to English and English to Khasi translation of tourism
related materials.
Unit 4: Translating Language and Culture Structure 4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Translation and development of Khasi language
4.2.1 Contribution of John Roberts and others
4.2.2 Khasi as medium of instruction
4.2.3 Contemporary translation activities in Khasi
4.3 A brief introduction to Khasi culture
4.4 Summary
4.5 Answers to SAQs 4.0 Objectives After reading the unit, you will be able to:
. identify the link between translation and development of Khasi
language;
. describe the role of individual translators in development of Khasi
literature; and
. list the important contemporary translations in Khasi literature and
translations from Khasi literature. 4.1 Introduction What do you understand by the term 'Khasi'? Does it refer to a community, a
race, a language or culture? The term Khasi is in fact, a generic term of
the entire Khasi tribe which include 'Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War, Maram and
Lyngngam'. The Khasi tribe is perhaps a unique tribe as it follows the
matrilineal system where the children take the surname of the mother and
not the father, as is generally the case in other parts of the country.
Khasi is also the name used for the language spoken by the population of
more than 12 lakhs. The Khasis have their own vibrant culture and way of
life which is known as 'Khasi culture'. For the purpose of our discussion we shall limit ourselves to two aspects
of the Khasis that is, language and culture. Khasi language belongs to the
Austro Asiatic family under the Monkhmer group. As stated earlier, the
total number of speakers is more than 12 lakhs and it is spoken in the four
districts of Meghalaya, namely, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Jaintia
Hills and Ri Bhoi districts; it is also spoken in parts of Assam, Mizoram
and Bangladesh bordering Meghalaya. 4.2 Translation and development of Khasi language It is interesting to note that prior to 1812, the Khasi language was only
in a spoken form. It was William Carey, Krishna Pal and Alexander B. Lish
who began to write the Khasi language using the Bengali script. William
Pryse (1855), recorded the following, "The whole of the New Testament,
translated by the Serampore Missionaries, and printed at Serampore in
1831". The works of Carey was continued by Alexander B. Lish who reached
Sohra (Cherrapunjee) in 1832. Lish prepared books in Khasi to be used in
the three schools founded by him at Sohra, Mawsmai and Mawmluh. The books
were written in Khasi using the Bengali script. In 1833, there were 36
students in the three schools and the prominent names were Duwan Rai,
Jungkha and Laithat. In 1834, Lish translated some of the Gospel of Matthew
into Khasi. The records of William Pryse say, "A small pamphlet, translated
by the late Rev. A. B. Lish, and printed at Serampore in 1836. Title-page:
'Dr. Watts's First Catechism for Children, translated into Khasee for the
use of the Churra Mission Schools.' It is printed in the Bengali
characters." Thus, it is clear that the Khasi language in the written form
began with the translation of the New Testament, a number of religious
literatures all in Bengali script. Though the medium of instruction in
schools was Khasi yet the script used was Bengali. Krishna Pal also
contributed to Khasi literature because after he left Khasi hills he
managed to accumulate a number of Khasi folk tales in the Bengali script.
However, the Serampore mission closed all missionary activities in the
Khasi hills in 1838. On 22nd June 1841, Thomas Jones and his wife arrived at Saitsohpen, a
military headquarter of the British. The Jones were received by Captain
Lewin and other British officers based at Saitsohpen. Thomas Jones was a
missionary of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Mission from Wales. What
surprised the Khasis of Sohra was that it did not take long for Thomas
Jones to learn the Khasi language. He spoke to them in their language and
they in turn requested him to teach them English for they believed that
equipped with knowledge of English language their daily bread is assured.
Thomas Jones took advantage of the situation and subsequently abandoned the
Bengali script for the Roman scripts which remains in use till today.
This earned him the title of "The Father of the Khasi Alphabet". At the
home front, the attempt was met with opposition; however, Dr. Duff, Jacob
Tomlin and other older missionaries supported the idea. Thus by 1842, the
Khasi language adopted the Roman script for their written form. The first
Khasi alphabet in Roman characters as found from the Lord's Prayer
published in 1842 are, A B C D E NG H I J L M N O P R S T U W Y. However,
we also found that the letter é and á are used to get a proper
pronunciation for the words like mé and máp. There is also mention about
the booklet "Ca Citab nyngcong ban hicai pule ci ctin Cassi" which is
thought to be the first primer, however, all efforts to trace this book
went in vain. Hence, as it stands today, the first Khasi book in Roman
characters is what Pryse mentioned in "An Introduction to the Khasia
Language" (1855), "The "Mother Gift," translated by the late Rev. T. Jones,
and printed at Calcutta in 1842. Title-page: - "Ka jingai ka kumi ia la ki
koon; lane ka jingkuli nungkong ia ki kun kunna ba la shim na ka ktin oo
Bloih. It is printed in the Roman character." William Pryse also wrote,
"The Gospel of Matthew, also translated by Mr. Jones, and printed in
Calcutta in 1846: title-page, "Ka Gospel jong u Mathi." This was printed in
the Roman character, at the expense of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible
Society." Thus it is apparent that Khasi as a written language in Roman
characters, also started with translation activity.
Other Welsh missionaries who came to Khasi hills also continued the
translation work in the form of hymns and other materials. In 1867 Mrs.
William Lewis translated John Bunyan's, "Pilgrim's Progress" and published
it in Khasi as "Ka Jingïaid U Pilgrim". While William Lewis devoted