Zubair Qureshi
Ambassador of France, Mr Nicolas Galey on Monday expressed his pleasure at the increasing trend of translation of the French literature into Urdu and said translation brings nations and their cultures together paving the way for greater understanding.
He was speaking as Chief Guest at the launching ceremony of ‘Young Nicolas’ Adventures’ or ‘Le Petit Nicolas’ a popular series of French children’s books into Urdu by well-known writer and translator ShaukatNiazi.
The book launch that was organized at the Alliance Francaise (AF) Islamabad was attended by a large number of the French speaking Pakistanis and the French nationals, book lovers, teachers and students of French language and literature.
The 224-page book that is published by Book Corner Jhelum contains more than 29 tales/adventures of Nicolas and is available at book stalls for Rs800.
Ambassador Galey commended ShaukatNiazi for another feather in his cap as earlier he has translated a number of French and English classics into Urdu. This is something one cannot help appreciating and I am sure your translation of Petit Nicolas, like your other works of translation, is up to the mark, said the Ambassador.
Le Petit Nicolas was originally published in 1959 and since then there has been a steady rise in its appreciation and popularity worldwide.
Created by René Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé, Le Petit Nicolas is a universal character and has been translated into 45 languages of the world. “In many countries it has been the Best Seller and MrNiazi yours is the 46th,” said the ambassador congratulating the translator. The ambassador took the audience down the memory lane when he as a child read Petit Nicolas, later his children in their childhood read it and enjoyed the adventures of the protagonist. The ambassador said in his childhood he read it from a different angle and now as a grown up man when he reads Nicolas again he reads it from yet another different angle.
The ambassador also praised AF’s director Ali Bhatti’s efforts for promotion of French language and culture through various cultural activities.
Newly arrived Course Director at the AF, Domitille Robert briefed the audience about Le Petit Nicolas saying the book and its characters are popular worldwide for their peculiar traits and universal appeal. MrShaukatNiazi said it was a challenge to translate Le Petit Nicolas into Urdu but he undertook it with a conviction that the Urdu readers, particularly children, would love the stories of Nicolas and identify them with him.
He thanked the ambassador, the AF and his friends for their support and encouragement to complete the task. He particularly mentioned his wife, Nausheen and three children for supporting him to finish the task.
