A Workshop conducted by the Department of Official Languages collaboration with Department of Translation Studies
A work shop was organized by the Department of Translation Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna on 06th of September, 2023 at 09.00 am at the Seminar Hall of the Faculty of Arts. The workshop was hosted by U.Gajanan, Vice President, Association of Translation Studies and R.Pavatharani, Treasurer, Association of Translation Studies. As a tradition, welcome address was delivered by Miss. Priyanadhi, Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Translation Studies.
It was a comprehensive and insightful program that brought together professionals, experts, and enthusiasts in the field of translation. The workshop aimed to explore various aspects of translation, from the role of the Department of Official Languages in providing translation services within the country to practical sessions in different language pairs.
The following officials from the Department of Official languages were participated as resource person;
- Shaminda Mahalekam : Commissioner of Official Languages (Translation)
- Nalin Hettiarachchi : Superintendent of Translation(Sinhala/English)
- T.Sandirasekaran : Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/English)
- N.M.Mohamed Mashood : Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/Sinhala)
- Upekha D.Rajapaksha : Head – Glossary Compilation Unit
- Udayana Ravindran : Translator (Tamil/English)
- Sewwandi Jayaweera : Translator (Sinhala/English)
- S.K.Kannathas : Head – Dept of Translation Studies
- R.Priyanadhi : Lecturer – Dept. of Translation Studies
- K.Thurga : Temporary Assistant Lecturer – Dept. of Translation Studies
- V.Vishnujan : Temporary Assistant Lecturer – Dept. of Translation Studies
Session 1: The Role and the Responsibilities of the DOL in providing Translation Services within the country
The session began with a thought provoking speech by Mr. Shaminda Mahalekam, Commissioner, Department of Official Languages. He discussed the pivotal role played by the DOL in delivering translation services across the nation. His insights shed light on the importance of efficient translation services for effective communication in a diverse society.
Session 2: Professional Ethics for Translation
Nalin Hettiarachchi, Superintendent of Translation, conducted the second session which centered on the ethical consideration in translation. His presentation emphasized the need for ethical practices to maintain the integrity and accuracy of translation, especially in the context of Sinhala and English languages.
Session 3: Introduction of the Translator’s Handbook and Translation Technologies
In this session T. Sandirasekaran, Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/English), N.M. Mohamed Mashood, Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/Sinhala) and Nalin Hettiarachchi, Superintendent of Translation introduced the Translator’s Handbooks Tamil version and English version respectively.
Session 4: Glossary Compilation and Recent Trends
Upekha D. Rajapaksha, Head of the Glossary Compilation Unit, delivered a comprehensive presentation on glossary compilation and its importance in translation. This session highlighted the recent trends in the translation industry, providing valuable insights for practitioners and the significance of staying updated with evolving translation technologies.
Session 5: Practical Session
This session was conducted by T. Sandirasekaran, Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/English) and N.M.Mohamed Mashood, Superintendent of Translation (Tamil/Sinhala). These hands-on session allowed participants to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world translation scenarios.
Session 6: Quiz Competition
In this session officials from the Department of Official Languages engaged with students, posing questions and rewarding those who provided correct answers with dictionaries.
This useful workshop ended about 3.30pm. The disruption serves as a reminder of the importance of technical preparedness for virtual events. Nevertheless, the workshop served as a platform for learning, networking, and skill development in the field of translation. Participants gained valuable insights into the responsibilities of the DOL, professional ethics, translation technologies, glossary compilation, and practical translation skills. The workshop featured a variety of session designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of language combination, ensuring that it delivered valuable learning opportunities for all participants.
