National workshop on translating children’s tales from Sikkim begins

GANGTOK,: A five-day national translation workshop on ‘Translating Children’s Tales from Sikkim: Co-Creation, Critique, and Collaboration’ was inaugurated at the Tourism Hall here Tuesday.

The workshop is being organized by the School of Languages and Literature at Sikkim University, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research North-Eastern Regional Centre (ICSSR-NERC).

The programme aims to preserve and promote Sikkim's rich oral traditions by translating children's tales from various languages.

The inaugural session was graced by Education minister Raju Basnet as the chief guest.

Sikkim University vice-chancellor Prof. Jyoti Prakash Tamang chaired the event.

Workshop coordinator Dr. Abrona Lee Pandi Aden extended a warm welcome to all attendees.

The significant highlight of the event was the release of ‘Folktales from Sikkim’—series I, a collection of stories translated during the previous workshop held in September 2022, organized by the English department of Sikkim University.

Prof. Sayantan Dasgupta of Jadavpur University, a key contributor to the 2022 workshop, mentioned that the book features tales from Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, Limboo, and Hindi languages, transcribed from traditional narratives.

Minister Raju Basnet expressed his support for the initiative, suggesting that the translated folktales could be incorporated into school textbooks. He underscored the significance of these stories in preserving customs, cultures, and history.

The vice-chancellor proposed that these tales could be adapted into animations and cartoons to engage young children effectively. He commended the success of the 2022 workshop and encouraged further recognition for such initiatives beyond the state level.

The workshop will feature sessions led by renowned experts and translators, including collaborative translation sessions and readings. Scholars will delve into the complexity of translating children's tales, addressing challenges and exploring innovative approaches.

The event will conclude on December 7 with a valedictory talk by Sikkim University assistant professor Dr. Saswati Saha and readings from the translated tales.