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.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Amartya Sen writings

Of late I read two books written by Nobel prize winner Dr. Amartya Sen.
I was amazed by his command of language . My English is not good but anyway when I compared him to other western writers whose mother tongue is English, Amarya is far too good.

Every line in his books is a fact. The summary of his books are the books itselves. In his writings, he never condenm anybody. Praise for all. Unites everybody. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhist and others.

He is an Indian from Bengal, now residing inUSA.

In the book "Argumentative Indians", a book that every Indian should read as he writen about past glories of India and Indians. India was the cradle of knowledge. Chinese, Arabs and many others came to India to equire knowledge.

In the book, " Identity and Violence", he wrote about Hindus and Muslims in India living together harmoniously. India with second largest muslim population in the world and with as many muslim scholars as the rest of the muslim world put together, Indian muslims had earn a respect as they do not indulge themselves, in any terrorism internationally.

In the book Identity and Violence he had written about civilisation confinement, globalisation, anti west and culture and captivity. This book really widens ones knowledge as well able to admire his command of English.

These books are really worth reading by every one.