“Sorry, the Tamil version is out of print”
by M S Abbas
[Puttalam]
Introducing translation to the curriculum of TCs:
The idea of writing this letter struck me when I happened to listen to a popular radio programme while traveling to my office on the bright morning of September 11. Throughout the programme, time and again, the announcer reminded the listeners about the prophecy of Dr. Colvin R.de Silva, the respected political veteran of this country - “One language two nations - two languages one nation”.
I am the father of an unfortunate young girl who is preparing for the forthcoming entrance examination of the prestigious Sri Lanka Law College in the Tamil medium. The reason why she has chosen to take her exam in the Tamil medium is that she is, once again, very unfortunate to be a student of the Fathima Muslim Girls’ School of Puttalam, one of the long neglected electorates in this country.
My daughter started her preparatory class for the entrance exam in January and from the very beginning of her preparation she wanted me, many times, to go the Government Publication Department and buy for her the Tamil Versions of significant publications such as “The Constitution”, “The 17th Amendment”, and “The Judicature Act”. Every time I called at the office of the Government Publication where a very good friend of mine, a very helpful and kindhearted person is the officer in-charge, I was told “Sorry, the Tamil version is out of print”. Every time I returned empty-handed and told my eagerly waiting daughter the disappointing news, I felt agony. I was contemplating whom I should address this to, when I heard the Minister concerned, expressing his views through the above mentioned radio programme.
Yes of course, the Minister is correct. The country suffers due to the lack of qualified translators. This situation affects not only our public administrative system, but also badly affects the judiciary. The service that can be offered by qualified translators is as important as other important services that are available in this country; yet, very little, or no attention has been paid to this important service.
For how long are we going to reiterate the same old story - “There are no sufficiently qualified translators.” It is a well known fact that language skills - not to speak about English, but I am speaking about the Tamil Language - of the contemporary students are drastically going down. This is not only in our country but in the United States too, so that President Bush has introduced the “NSLO” - No Student Left Out” programme to enhance language skills.
Why can’t we think about introducing translation courses in our technical colleges in order to fulfil the need of the country’s Public Administration and the Judiciary?
