Monday, December 15, 2008

Malaysian Literature and translations

There are many noble prizes winning for literature writings, which very interesting, informative, world view and high standard of catholicity of the scholarship. As many Malaysians can read in English that is the only languages leads us to read internationally renowned writings however many Malaysians English language competency is in the declining trend.

It is a great unfortunate that these internationally renowned writings are not translated to any of the indigenous languages of Malaysia. Malaysian writer let it be Malays, Chinese, Indians and even East Malaysians write in their own languages, with their own and/or their readers back ground. We do not even translate our very own literature from one language to another with in our own country.

Quality of Malay writings can be enhanced with wider circulations, at the same time internationalize our writers views. I am yet to see writings in Malay translated to other languages. May be no effort being made or our writers do not meet the required quality.

We should translate Malay stories, novels and other quality writings to Chinese, Tamil or to languages in East Malaysia and vice versa. Then the Malay language will grow to greater horizon. More non Malays will understand Malay way of life. These translated versions of Malay writings can make to appear in mass medias, in the Chinese speaking countries and in India. Later effort can be made to translate to other Asia and European languages.

We need to come out of coconut shells, have to compete internationally in this world, which is made smaller by knowledge and technology.

We should be very proud if any Malaysian wins a noble prize. Let him/her be a Malay, Chinese, Indian, East Malaysians or others. It is sad to say as some local newspapers writes, when a Malay wins anything, it is a Malay win and not Malaysian win, which irritates other loyal Malaysians.

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