|
|
|
March 9, 2003
In brief
ONE of the major causes of the backwardness of Muslim societies all over the world, is their lack of interest in science and technology. Although Muslims had made valuable contributions in the past in the various scientific fields as inventors as well as theoreticians, long periods of subjugation by western colonialists resulted in a general apathy among them towards creativity and enterprise in these directions. Barring a few exceptions like Prof Abdus Salam and Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, the Muslim world has failed to produce scientists of internationally recognized calibre.
Any effort to popularize science in our society must, therefore, be welcomed and encouraged. For obvious reasons, in the beginning such an effort has got to be concentrated on children and the younger people. It is, therefore, commendable that Takhleeqat, a publishing house of Lahore, has brought out a series of booklets on science for children and the layman.
The six booklets under review deal with life in the universe, man in space, the nature of stars and the atom, besides providing answers to certain observations in nature and explaining the working of some inventions. All these booklets have been condensed and translated by Tahir Mansoor Farooqui from original works of different authors in English.
In any book, or for that matter, in any piece of writing, the role of language is pivotal in creating an interest in the subject matter. And if the book is on science and the targeted readership comprises children and the layman, then it becomes all the more important that the language should be simple and expressions must be precise and clear. Unfortunately, most translated versions lack these requirements because of the fact that the effort to keep close to the original text makes the piece clumsy and sometimes even vague.
In the books under review the translator has tried his best to be simple and clear but in some parts he has not been as successful as one would like him to be. Consequently, it often becomes difficult to comprehend the point being made out even by one who has a science background, not to speak of a layman or a child. Perhaps translation is not the proper mode for transferring such knowledge to Urdu for the children. Probably a better plan would be for the writer to study the books in English, digest them fully and then write on the same topic in his own language avoiding cumbersome expressions and trying to maintain simplicity and clarity. Such books would definitely provide smooth reading and a better understanding of the subject matter.
Kainaat Mein Zindagi, Khala Mein Insaan, Sitaray Kia Hain, Atom Kia Hay, Kaisay, Kiyoon
Translated by Tahir Mansoor Farooqui
Takhleeqat, Ali Plaza, 3 Mozang Road, Lahore Tel: (042) 7238014
Email: takhleeqat@yahoo.com
120pp. 88pp. 85pp. 88pp. 136pp 108pp. Rs90. Rs70. Rs70. Rs70 Rs90. Rs70
|
|
|
|
