Staff Reporter
In every period of history, the creative activity of writers in Pakistani languages has flourished and at the same time, the translations of foreign literature have enriched Pakistani literature.
There is a tradition of translation in the Punjabi language in which great writers have also worked.
These views were expressed by Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training & National Heritage and Culture as chief guests in an online seminar on “Translations of World Literature in Punjabi Language” organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
The seminar was presided over by well-known poet and writer Parveen Malik.
Chairman PAL Dr Yousuf Khushk presented an introductory note on the occasion.
Jameel Ahmad Pal, Hameed Razi, Zahid Hassan, Khalid Mahmood, Shabbir Shahid, Tipu Sultan Makhdoom, Amjad Saleem Minhas and Faisal Iqbal Awan presented articles through video link.
Dr Muhammad Asim Butt moderated the seminar. Shafqat Mahmood said translation was like fresh air for any language and works as fresh blood for the body.
Translation is a window that brings new air, fragrances from other cultures and fragrances another language.
While translation adorns literature with gems of other languages, it also ignites rage the minds and tastes of readers and writers.
He said that translation provided information on intellectual and scientific progress and literary landscape all over the world. It enhances the understanding of life and develops a way of behaving. Punjabi literature is very rich and fertile which started in the twelfth century AD with the poetry of Baba Farid.
He said that the Punjabi literature being written today is energetic, diverse and influential and is one of the foremost literatures in the world literary scene. It is a fact that at every stage of the evolution of literature, translation and translators are at the forefront.
Shafqat Mahmood said that through translation, positive attitudes and thoughts about historical consciousness and the continuous evolutionary process of history develop.
