Translation remains under-appreciated effect, says Telugu writers
Hyderabad: In a world where words bridge cultures and open minds, Telugu literature is caught in a quiet struggle. With an ever-growing appetite for translated works, the art of translation is still undervalued, leaving many powerful voices unheard.
Telugu literature has witnessed a surge in translations both to and from the language, with notable names like V. Narayana Rao, Volga, Alladi Uma, M. Sridhar, and others leading the way.
In recent years, translations from English and other Indian languages into Telugu have gained dedicated attention, particularly in the realm of fiction. However, translation is not an easy job, especially when it is regarded as a part-time endeavour or hobby.
"The job is still seen as a labour of love," says Purnima Tamireddy, a translator and publisher. "It’s difficult for publishers to compensate translators adequately, which doesn't align with the actual effort involved."
The challenges of translating books are manifold. One must consider not only the language but also the cultural contexts that both languages are grounded in. “You have to retain the local flavor without losing the essence of the original,” says Volga, a renowned Telugu author and translator. "When translating from English to Telugu, I choose authors I connect with emotionally, politically, and ideologically," she adds.
Remaining faithful to the original text is paramount, but Volga also notes that the greatest challenge remains finding the right words and phrases that capture the intent of the original author while resonating with the target audience.
She also highlights a glaring gap in translations between Telugu and other languages. "If a hundred books are translated into Telugu from other languages, only about five are translated from Telugu to other languages," she mentions.
In recent times, sub-titling has emerged as a significant part of the translation business.
“Although some attention is being given to it now, the quality of subtitles often remains poor,” says D.V. Subhashri, a professional freelance translator. "Time and space constraints make it difficult, and finding skilled sub-titlers is not easy."
Languages are deeply entwined with culture, and translating them involves more than just words or phrases. "This is especially true with idioms or references to mythology. Indian readers may be familiar with figures like Sita and Rama, but these may require some explanation for international audiences," Subhashri adds.
While certain genres have large followings, the tradition of "good-old storytelling" has largely taken a backseat, she notes.
Tamireddy further elaborates on the types of writings that attract readers: "When translated from Telugu to English, short stories and poetry are often overlooked. No one will read you unless you're a well-established author or have a significant social media presence," she says.
"Novels tend to generate the most interest. Recently, anthologies have also gained popularity. An author’s single short story is more likely to make it into an anthology than a full collection by the same author," she adds.
In addition to feminist and Dalit writings, science fiction and speculative fiction are also attracting growing interest.
