Should newspapers hire translators? No.
In a multi-lingual country like India, the newspapers should hire reporters or editors who know two languages. This applies to both English-language and regional-language newspapers, also called vernacular newspapers.
The goal should be to avoid word-to-word or line-to-line translations. Journalism should not suffer as news desks race to translate reports against tough deadlines.
The task is difficult, but most Indian journalists have risen to the occasion. They have refused to be reduced to the level of mere translators. Instead, they have given translation a new dimension.
Challenges before language media
The language media faces two key challenges. These are:
The first is the sourcing of news copy. Almost all language newspapers subscribe to PTI and UNI, the two Indian news services which provide news reports in English. Some also subscribe to ANI and IANS, which too provide news reports in English. Besides this, the international wire service copy is also in English.
The news desks need to first select and then translate the news copy. They have to ensure that the context or meaning of the news report is not changed during translation. The task becomes specially challenging if the news report is comment on analysis, where each word comes loaded with meaning.
The second challenge arises from the use of English by news sources. Most press conferences are addressed in English though the speakers also switch to Hindi or regional languages when questions are asked in these languages. In several one-to-one interviews, the subject finds it more comfortable to answer questions in English.
This creates a problem for the reporter from the regional media. Should he take notes in English? Should he take notes in his own language? The reporter has to make sure that he understands each word clearly, and the meaning does not get changed as he converts the sentences into his own language.
Challenges before English media
A different challenge is faced by newsmen working for English-language newspapers. They need to know the regional language otherwise they will not be able to follow press notes issued by the state governments and private organisations which are either in Hindi or in regional languages.
They will also be severely cramped for information, especially when they travel to interior parts of states where use of English is limited. They will miss out on valuable news leads because they cannot read language newspapers.
This is why in India, every journalist must be bilingual. Also, they must learn to think like journalists, and not like translators.
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