Category: Translation

Translation is done from a Source Language into a Target Language.

Burma Translation Society was formed primarily to translate reference and text from English to Burmese.

Pali Text Society in the UK publishes selected English translations of Pali texts.

One of the Objectives of the Sixth Buddhist Council was to translate the Scriptures (including Commentaries and selected Sub-commentaries) from Pali into Burmese. Mahasi Sayadaw and his team (including Sayadaw U Silananda) compiled a Pali-Burmese Abhidan (Dictionary) to aid the translation of the Tipitaka.

Lexicographers

Reverend Judson and his team compiled the “English to Burmese” and “Burmese to English” dictionaries. They translated the Bible into Burmese.

There are several Dictionaries compiled by Burmese. The early works were done by

• U Tun Nyein
• Dr. Ba Han
• Tet Toe (U Ohn Pe)

U Hoke Sein took two decades to complete his Pali-English-Burmese Dictionary.

Lost in Translation?

Some meaning can be lost in Translation.

Grapevine says that the Japanese were given an ultimatum by the US. The response supposedly had two meanings :
(a) We will consider
(b) We don’t care
Due to miscommunication or “wrong” translation, the second meaning was taken, and the first A-bomb was released over Hiroshima.

Interpreters find it difficult to translate jokes or puns. One interpreter pleaded : “The dignitary is making a joke. If you want to help me retain my job, please applaud loudly and laugh heartily.” His job was saved.

WPD Sunday Supplement

Working People’s Daily (WPD) carried a Sunday Supplement. It carried the translation of renowned authors and scholars.

They include

• MMT (former Chief Justice U Myint Thein)
• Tet Toe (U Ohn Pe)
• ZMT (former Ambassador U Zaw Myint Thein)
• Sao Hso Holm (English First Class Honors, son of Arzani Sao San Htun)

The Assistant Editor Daw Khin Swe Hla (formerly “Dawlay” at Guardian) wanted some fresh blood. She assigned me to translate a short story “Nge Thay Lo” by Sayagyi U Thu Kha. I tried my best to come up with “Still So Young” and received a remuneration of fifty kyats. Sayagyi was given fifty kyats.

My experience

• Translator and Interpreter at Meditation Retreats and selected events
• Loose rendition of articles and poems by Sayas and alumni

Author : Tekkatho Moe War

Translation : Hla Min

This morning “AMAY” [my beloved mother-in-law who I fondly address as mother] nearly slipped and fell while stepping out of her bedroom. To regain balance, she tried to reach and hold the cabinet beside her bed as support. In the process, she accidentally hit and broke the glass of the cabinet. When AMAY came out of the room, I immediately held her hand and examined for bruises and cuts. Fortunately, there was none and I was relieved.

These days I hear about several accidents due to carelessness and loss of attention for a short while. The other day, a friend was walking in front of his house and noticed some ongoing repair work for the drain. He tried to avoid hitting the repair area, but slipped and fell into the drain. Luckily, he escaped disaster with a few scratches on his hand.

In a village in Thone Gwa Township, an electrical accident occurred. A person was bathing in front of his house when he touched a wire connected to the water pump. He had a shock and fainted, and eventually passed away.

This nation has seen numerous lives being lost by “electrocution”. The main cause is poverty. If someone retorted with “What’s the connection?”, I will present hard facts. Use of outdated and dangerous electrical appliances to this very day, reliance on low-quality and obsolete electrical systems and standards, and lack of knowledge and basic education of the users contribute to the accidents and often loss of lives. Broken power lines also have caused deaths by striking people in the way.

Accidents happen daily and in numbers, so it is somewhat miraculous for AMAY not to be injured by broken glass.

AMAY is really not that old. She is one year away from celebrating her 100th birthday.

She can walk, but needs someone to assist her. She likes to frequent her bedroom by herself. So we have to watch her movements closely. After she is helped to sit at the dinner table, she does not need further assistance. She eagerly reads the newspapers and journals (ahead of me) and has interest in the latest news. Due to a slight eyesight problem, she cannot read the fine print. She reads aloud the headlines and the large print. One can say that AMAY is well informed and that she stays abreast of the changing times.

Since I displayed special attention of her hand, AMAY took a thousand Kyat note from her pocket and gave me as a reward. She added, “Spend as you wish”. I gave a lightweight smile.

After AMAY had her lunch, we had a general conversation. I mentioned that there have been two car thefts in Kamayut and Hlaing lately, and that some poor people might have to steal to survive. AMAY replied, “The government is responsible. High officials also steal, isn’t it? [May be not directly.] Their subordinates steal and …”

“AMAY. Making car owners sad and tearful is definitely not good. The case of the other thefts is somewhat different, AMAY.”

“Now, look. A man from Dagon Seik Kan Township committed suicide by hanging. He is supposedly addicted to alcohol.” AMAY said.

“Drinking has become a fashion and fad. What’s wrong with that?”

“In our days, people stay away from alcohol. The other day, my nephew came to see me and told about Bama girls drinking beer (or similar) in the pub with the men. OMG.”

“But, AMAY. It’s their KHIT (era).”

“What KHIT? Why does the government allowing everyone to become drunkards? Does it not have laws to prohibit drinking?”

I dare not continue the conversation. I decided to shut my mouth.

“Sigh … sigh … So ruthless. Supposedly happened on THAN THU MA street. Near the fowl (hens, ducks) market. Every month, at least one patient (sick person) is disposed there. The families who left them could no longer take care of them. So ruthless. Have people lost their compassion?”

I did not know what to say.

AMAY who can keep abreast of the modern times. AMAY still possesses an active brain and acute reasoning.

So, what was AMAY thinking when she, out of Metta and Cetana, rewarded me with a thousand Kyat note to buy and eat whatever I wish? In this case, I believe AMAY is unaware of the economics [high cost of living, inflation, poverty, …] of the present era. Her mind must have regressed several decades back to the good, old times. Si Chet [noodles] cost Nga Mu (50 pyas). Bei Oo Pauk Si [bun with meat and duck egg] cost Ta Mutt (25 pyas). A cup of tea Ta Mutt. Khauk Swel Kyaw [Fried noodles] cost Thone Mutt (75 pyas). And so on. AMAY might be thinking of the prices that we knew in our younger days.

The [diminishing economic] status of our nation has been shown by the One Thousand Kyat Note that AMAY rewarded me. I would remark that the Note had written a piece of history [of our once golden land].

Why worry? A plate of Khauk Swe Kyaw (Fried noodles) sells at Two Thousand Kyats. To please AMAY, I will order half a plate [to the surprise of the owner] and eat to my delight without showing any guilt or shame.

Poem Gift

by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War)

String of attachment — then in its infancy
grew beyond proportion — on her birthday
to express my deepest feelings — while courting her
I gave “Sho Whet The Pho” (Mystery/Thriller) Magazine
as a birthday gift to my beloved.

We shared our metta
with true devotion

I presented a golden ring
to my yee-sar as a birthday gift.

Hand in hand we entered the “married” land
on her birthday past the Honeymoon
I presented Goya fragrance as a birthday gift

Traveling together
Often facing dark nights
Yonder looked thick and rough

Goal seemed distant [and not straight]
[Tired and] weary
[Often] look but could not see

Struggle just to keep alive
Despite the challenges I feel
I owe my beloved a nice birthday gift

But …
Precious jewels are out of reach
I can only offer a gift from my heart

Kabyar
inexpensive — not meaning to underrate her love

Will she accept as a priceless treasure?

Translated by Hla Min (Ec 69)

Kabyar is a Burmese Poem

Poem : Tekkatho Moe War
Translator : Hla Min

Poem

Poem is animate
But [it’s life is] not just a [fleeting] morn

Poem is a weapon
But not for destroying the world

Poem is key
For liberation and independence
But not devoid of principles [and morals]

Poem has power
Hidden but efficient & effective
Like sharp-pointed spear-head
Can thrust into [the heart of] a power-maniac
Cause trembling, shivering, throbbing & anguished pain