GUJRAT: A seminar on Language and Diplomacy’ was held at Hafi z Hayat Campus, University of Gujrat (UoG), on Tuesday to mark the International Translation Day. The event was organised by the Centre for Languages and Translation Studies (CeLTS).

The International Translation Day is celebrated every year on Sept 30 around the globe for making people aware of the importance of translation in this era of globalization.

The objective of this seminar was to create a sensibility towards translation studies among the students and faculty. Former ambassador Mr Ashraf Jahangir Qazi was the chief guest while UoG Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin presided over this seminar.

Mr Ashraf Jahangir Qazi while expressing his thoughts about the relationship of language with diplomacy said that translation studies had gained utmost importance in the globalized world of today. He said that inter-lingual translations were a key to peace and mutual understanding. He said the language had always played important role in the world of diplomacy.

Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin said that the importance of translation studies had increased in the modern age and many countries of the world had amplifi ed the process of development and progress with the help of translation. He was of the view that there was a pressing need of translated works of intellectual and scientifi c books in Pakistani languages.

He appreciated the services of CeLTS in this regard. He said the craft of translation had become a science in the modern world.

Published in Dawn, October 1st , 2014