Bhubaneswar : The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar, today organized an interaction programme with its empanelled translators and editors to discuss ways of enhancing the quality of translation and editing of government communication. The programme aimed at ensuring the timely, accurate and effective dissemination of government information in regional languages while strengthening multilingual communication.
Presiding over the workshop, Shri Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General, PIB and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Bhubaneswar, stated that translation is not merely converting words from one language to another, but a bridge that connects knowledge, ideas, and culture.
He highlighted that translation should be carried out keeping in view linguistic and cultural contexts, terminology, grammar, and the comprehension capacity of the readers. “Although technologies like Artificial Intelligence have made translation easier, there is no substitute for human judgment, linguistic sensitivity, and relevance”, he added. He also emphasized the need for regular exchanges among translators and the creation of an active professional community.
Addressing the gathering, senior journalist Dr. Ashok Panda remarked that translation is not just a profession, but a powerful medium to connect society with knowledge and information. “Translators should focus not merely on outcomes or remuneration, but on the purpose, quality, and societal impact of their work”, He flagged. Calling upon translators to build a bridge across different languages and cultures, he encouraged them to cultivate an attitude of learning and teaching through the development of ‘Cultural Agility’.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Debasis Mohapatra, Assistant Professor, Department of Odia, Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Bhubaneswar, observed that translation is a creative process that involves faithfully conveying the meaning, context and cultural nuances of the source language into the target language. He emphasized, high-quality translation requires strong linguistic competence, sound knowledge of linguistics, cultural sensitivity and creative expression. While AI has made translation more accessible, he noted that it cannot replace human interpretation, contextual understanding and emotional expression.
The interaction featured detailed discussions on quality translation of government communication, accurate use of technical terminology, timely translation and editing, and content development for digital media. The empanelled translators and editors also shared their experiences and offered constructive suggestions to further improve the translation process. The participants emphasized the need for sustained coordination, dialogue and collaboration between PIB and its empanelled translators and editors to ensure more effective dissemination of government information to the public.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Shri M. P. Jena, Assistant Director, PIB. Shri Swadhin Shakti Prasad, Media and Communication Officer, PIB Bhubaneswar, delivered the opening remarks, outlining the objective and importance of the event. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director, CBC.