Understanding culture crucial to making translation effective: Booker Prize winner Deepa Bhasthi

International Booker Prize winner Deepa Bhasthi says, “Translation is a complex process. Language is not just a means of communication. It also carries with it various aspects of culture, and a translator needs to understand the culture to make the translation more effective and authentic.”

Speaking at the ‘Dharege Doddavaru’ program organized by Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha as part of ‘Nadahabba’, the month-long Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations in Dharwad on November 11, 2025, he described translation as the process of language interacting with another language. The translation wants to define the work as a ‘third text’.

He details his own experience with translation Heart LampHe explained the various nuances he had to keep in mind as he was translating a work of art that revolved around a culture to which he was new.

He emphasized that translation involves various aspects of a language. A lot of effort was required to capture the context and culture in the original language and then transform it.

Elaborating on the richness of Kannada hidden in its various dialects, she said that a lot of original work written in the dialects of Kannaada had not been translated, and called on the youngsters to make efforts towards the same.

Deepa Bhasthi said, “Unlike other countries, it is difficult to make translation a career in India. However, the work of a translator is not appreciated as much as it is in other countries.”

He said that since there are so many great works of literature in Kannada, more people should come forward to translate them into other languages ​​and English. “To preserve Kannada, it is necessary to continue using it. It is everyone’s responsibility to strengthen the roots of Kannada by using it,” he said.

Journalist Rishikesh Bahadur Desai introduced Deepa Bhasthi and her work.

KVV General Secretary Sangha Shankar Halagatti coordinated the event.

In the interaction that followed, students and participants asked questions about the translation process, its complexities, challenges encountered and related topics.

Sangha office holders Shankar Halagatti, Shrinivas Wadappi, Shankar Kumbi, Visheshwari Hiremath and others congratulated Deepa Bhasthi.