GUJRAT: Iqbal Academy Pakistan Deputy Director Ahmed Javed says poetry is the best expression of the uppermost creative faculties while translation is the best equipment for enhancing the scenario of a language, bringing in new thought process.

He was giving a lecture in a seminar on “Poetic Translation” held at University of Gujrat, organised by its Centre for Languages & Translation Studies (CeLTS). UoG Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin presided over the event.

Mr Javed said translated works from other languages introduced people to the cultural aspects of different civilisations.

Translating poetry was more difficult than that of fiction, he said, adding that poetic delicacies of a language were difficult to communicate from one language into another, he added.

Mr Javed said poetry could be translated only at the peak of creativity as language at different levels from simile and metaphor to their symbolic meanings was used in it. The poetic process encompassed creativity and imagination simultaneously, he said.

Language played an important role in the cultural progress of a nation and development of wrong behaviours

towards languages was a critical situation for any nation or civilization, he warned.

Javed expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of translation in Pakistan, adding that it was a good sign that the UoG had established the CeLTS for promotion of translation in national and regional languages.

UoG VC Prof Nizamuddin in his remarks said that translation progressed through love and passion and the best translations were the outcome of great enthusiasm and dedication to the subject.

He said only the translations done through hardworking and commitment last forever. Mr Ghulam Ali, coordinator CeLTS, also spoke.

This seminar was the part of a series of lectures on creative writing.