Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 77

Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
N.V.Vaidya and a few other scholars. Taking a bird's cye-view of all such attempts we find that we as yet have not been able to arrive at the complete translation of even the main canonical texts into English, let away be that of the exegetical and other ones. Bringing out thorough critical editions of these texts and their English translation has been a long-awaited desideratum, without the achievement of which the prospects of Jaina siudies in the Western and other foreign Universities are blcak.
For translating an early Prakrt text is, it is essential that we must have its critical edition. We so far possess critical editions of only a few canonical works. As regards translating the excgetical literature, this is yet to begin. But waiting too long for the critical editions of all these texts would considerably retard the translation lask. It is hence advisable that efforts towards translating may go ahead, at present with the available editions of the texts.
The translator of course should be well equipped with the basic tools of the job - a good knowledge of Prakņi grammar and lexicon, of Jaina dogmatics, doctrines and philosophy of the concerned religio-historical and socio- cultural background', with ability to institute comparative studies", besides his possessing a more than ordinary command over English language. He has carefully to take into consideration the archaic and pithy nature of Prakrt language and the peculiar style found in some of the texts.
Though the text is in prose, at times the meaning in the English translation has to be supplemented with additional words put in brackets or with notes added at the foot. Otherwise clear expressivity of thought or idea cannot always be achieved in the translation.
Many a times a literal translation in English docs not bring home the intended sense of the original text. In such context we have to honour, partly or wholly, the following dictum : A true translation should strike a balance between fidelity and creativity, between interpretation and obj.ctivity. Let me cxtend an example within my own experience : A literal translation of a line, would For Private & Personal Use Only