Challenges

Languages, cultures and understanding

As the process of translations of the Charter texts began, the translators had difficulty in finding one-to-one equations in words and expressions that can effectively convey the sense of the Principles to the lowest common denominator among the public.
Language being culture specific, connotative meanings take precedence over denotative meanings in any language transaction and therefore conveying the exact sense of the principles to people of varying linguistic and cultural orientation posed a problem. For example, what the word ‘responsibility’ means to an activist is not what it means to a lay person; it is more an ambiguous term straddling between ‘duty’ and ‘obligation’ or any similar synonym like ‘dharma’. Especially when it is applied to women’s role in Asian societies.

In a way, greater familiarity with the term ‘right’ detracts from the importance of ‘responsibility’.


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India Objectives Methodology and strategies Regional Charter Facilitation Committee, India An offshoot “Uniting in Responsibilities in a Culture of Rights: Locating Possibilities” China-India-Japan Forum: Responsible Youth working towards peace and cooperation in Asia Jeeva jaala comprises all animate and inanimate objects New Horizons of Human Development: Art, Spirituality and Social Transformations Non-violence as a Responsible Message for Peace and Harmony Tibetan Film Festival 2009, Bangalore (4th &5th July 2009) Translating the Charter to allow discussions Voices from the Waters 2009: 4th International Water Film Festival What’s New in the Indian Charter Lands?	Home Activities Regional Activities Asia India Published on 1 April 2005 Translations available in: français . Español . Challenges by Sudha REDDY Associated General Topics: Cross-cultural . Culture . Languages .
	Languages, cultures and understanding As the process of translations of the Charter texts began, the translators had difficulty in finding one-to-one equations in words and expressions that can effectively convey the sense of the Principles to the lowest common denominator among the public. Language being culture specific, connotative meanings take precedence over denotative meanings in any language transaction and therefore conveying the exact sense of the principles to people of varying linguistic and cultural orientation posed a problem. For example, what the word ‘responsibility’ means to an activist is not what it means to a lay person; it is more an ambiguous term straddling between ‘duty’ and ‘obligation’ or any similar synonym like ‘dharma’. Especially when it is applied to women’s role in Asian societies. In a way, greater familiarity with the term ‘right’ detracts from the importance of ‘responsibility’.