GCU Lahore and Ankara University Turkey to Hold Joint Discussions on Translations of Languages

The inaugural joint discussions were held at GCU Bukhari auditorium on Wednesday. The discussions were held under the title, “Classical, Modern and Contemporary Literature”, the event was jointly organized by Government College University (GCU) and Ankara University, Turkey. The goal of discussions was to emphasize on the importance and promotion of translations of languages in Universities.

Speakers from Iran, Turkey, Germany and Pakistan participated in the first session of discussions. The chief guest of the conference was Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Muhammad Nizamudin. The speakers stressed upon introduction of using comparison as a method of study in literature and translations culture in Pakistani Universities for greater benefit of development in education and fields of science and technology.

The translation culture and Comparative literature can strengthen the friendship ties between Pakistan and other countries along with benefiting economy. Dr Nizamudin said during addressing the session, “We learn from history that Baghdad had become the centre of the scientific world by translating texts from Europe, Persia, India, Arab and other parts the world, It’s time to decide that we could not progress without promoting our national language and establishing a culture of translations.”

Various topics were discussed by the speakers, the titles of discussions contested by teams were: “Nationalism cannot deliver an equitable future”, “a depoliticized education has brought the nation to its knees”, “a free woman is a lonely woman”, “if we do not save the environment, we will have the equality of extinction”, “Humans are animals of habit.”, “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us” ,“optimism is the opium of the masses” and “A lie told often enough becomes the truth”.

The importance of language cannot be denied in development of economy and education for any nation. Language is the source of social interaction and transmitting cultures. The transferring of knowledge and researches done centuries ago could not have been possible without translation of languages. The ancient writers, inventors, scientists and mathematicians inherited their hardly acquired discoveries to us through source of literature which have become the primary basis of researches done in modern world today.

There should be establishment of departments of comparative languages courses in Universities, so that the tradition of knowledge sharing can be continued. Our youth seems to be lost between mix of Urdu, Punjabi and English language. But we have failed to gain expertise in any of these languages completely. It’s a dilemma that our youth is not able to translate archaic terms of Urdu language. Although, Urdu poets and writers have done exceptional work in the field of literature which is included in syllabus as well, but still there is need to do more work for preserving of our national language.

The administration of Pakistani Universities can introduce language proficiency courses in Universities, organize multilingual debates in Universities, Conduct online tests and hold conferences for promotion of Comparative literature and translation of languages in Pakistan.