Hindi translation of rare Tibetan manuscripts await Bihar CM’s message, funds - Hindustan Times - Translation

BySubhash Pathak

May 14, 2023 04:53 PM IST

These are the first lot of more than 50 Tibetan manuscripts on Buddhism, brought back to India by Rahul Sakrityayan from Tibet, being translated in Hindi by Sarnath-based Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies

The much-awaited Hindi translations of the centuries-old Tibetan manuscripts on Buddism and Buddhist philosophy, which were brought back to India from Tibet by noted author Rahul Sakrityayan, are awaiting the message from the Bihar chief minister as a preface for publication.

Bihar Research Society officials displaying Tibetan manuscripts collection to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (HT Photo/Sourced)

As part of its efforts to make the core principles and philosophy of Buddhism easily understandable for the people, the Bihar government had in 2019 tied up with the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, to translate more than 50 Tibetan manuscripts in Hindi.

Accordingly, it had allocated a budget of ₹1.94 crore for the publication of the Hindi translation of the manuscripts. The first instalment of ₹15.50 lakh has been given to the institute.

A senior official of the CIHTS said that five books, which have been translated, are awaiting the introductory messages of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for printing.

Also Read: PM Modi visits Jana Shakti art exhibition on ‘Man Ki Baad’ themes at NGMA

“Our vice-chancellor (Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten) has sent letters to the chief minister twice in the last one year and met him in person in April this year at Rajgir for the message and the 2nd instalment of the fund, ₹25 lakh. However, both are still awaited,” said the official, adding that the institute had proposed releasing five books on the auspicious Buddha Purnima (May 5).

The books ready for publication include ‘Karm Vibhang Sutra’, ‘Pragyaparmitahridaya Sutra’, a collection of books written by Acharya Deepankar Shrigyan, ‘Madhyamkalangkar Karika Bhashya Evam Teeka’, and a collection of other rare manuscripts.

“These are Tibetan translations of original manuscripts written in Sanskrit on palm leaves about Buddhism and its philosophy that were in possession of old Nalanda and Vikramshila universities. These manuscripts were taken to Tibet during the 7th-11th centuries for translation and propagation of Buddhism. These manuscripts were translated in the Tibetan language under the guidance of scholars on handmade papers and in natural ink,” said a researcher.

The institute had earlier planned to get the five translated versions of the manuscripts by Dalai Lama during his visit to Bodh Gaya between December 28 and 31 in 2022.

However, the programme had to be deferred for want of the CM’s message and the 2nd instalment of the agreed amount, said a CIHTS official, quoting a letter to Kumar by the vice-chancellor on December 15, 2022.

Director general of Bihar Museum Anjani Kumar Singh, who also is an advisor to the Bihar CM, said that he would inquire into the delay from the department of art and culture, which had signed the MoU with the CIHTS.

The manuscripts in Tibetan languages were handed over to the CIHTS from the Bihar research society, which is part of the Patna Museum and is under the administrative control of the directorate of Museums, Bihar.

Secretary, art and culture department, Bandana Preyashi, could not be reached for her comments on the issue despite repeated attempts.

S Siddharth, principal secretary to CM Kumar, said that once they get the message from the chief minister, it will be delivered to the CIHTS on a priority basis.

• ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  

  Subhash Pathak

  Subhash Pathak is special correspondent of Hindustan Times with over 15 years of experience in journalism, covering issues related to governance, legislature, police, Maoism, urban and road infrastructure of Bihar and Jharkhand.

Topics

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Universal Translator unveiled! Google pushes the boundaries of AI translation technology - HT Tech - Translation

Google showcased its latest innovation, the "Universal Translator." at the Google I/O conference. This cutting-edge translation service has the remarkable ability to seamlessly convert video content into more than 300 hundred languages, all while synchronizing the speaker's lips to match the translated words. Google's success in AI technology promises to revolutionize the way we communicate and bridge linguistic barriers like never before.

What is It?

The Universal Translator is a testament to the recent advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Leveraging Google's powerful algorithms and extensive language data, the system analyzes the visual and audio components of a video, enabling real-time translation of the spoken language. Not only does it accurately interpret the words, but it also renders them in a way that matches the speaker's mouth movements, delivering a natural and immersive translation experience.

The potential applications of such a transformative technology are vast. It opens up new horizons for international collaboration, entertainment, and global communication. Business meetings, conferences, and even educational lectures can now transcend language barriers, as the Universal Translator enables participants to understand and engage with content in their preferred language.

What are the major concerns?

However, with such groundbreaking progress comes a need for caution. The unveiling of the Universal Translator also shed light on the inherent risks associated with AI-driven advancements. "Issues such as potential misinterpretation, loss of nuance, or even intentional manipulation of translated content underscore the necessity for robust safeguards and responsible implementation," reported Tech Crunch.

Google, in its commitment to ethical AI development, emphasized the importance of addressing these risks proactively. They acknowledged the need for comprehensive testing, ongoing refinement, and collaboration with experts in language, linguistics, and cultural studies. By taking a cautious and responsible approach, Google aims to mitigate the potential hazard and ensure that the Universal Translator remains a force for positive change.

The big takeaway

In short, as Google continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI, the Universal Translator stands as a testament to the transformative potential of technology in our ever-expanding globalized world. It will serve to bring people from the farthest land, speaking all kinds of language, together on one platform for business, education, fun and more.

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One Hundred Years of The Watchtower in the Czech Language - JW News - Translation

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One Hundred Years of The Watchtower in the Czech Language  JW News

Study reveals the most loved and hated British slang words - Daily Mail - Dictionary

Google's 'translation glasses' were actually at I/O 2023, and right in front of our eyes - ZDNet - Translation

Google

Exactly one year ago, Google unveiled a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses at its I/O developer conference. But unlike Google Glass, this new concept, which didn't have a name at the time (and still doesn't), demonstrated the practicality of digital overlays, promoting the idea of real-time language translation as you were conversing with another person. 

It wasn't about shooting magic spells or seeing dancing cartoons but rather providing accessibility to something we all do every day: communicating.

Also: How to join the Google Search Labs waitlist to access its new AI search engine

The concept had the appearance of a regular pair of glasses, making it clear that you didn't have to look like a cyborg in order to reap the benefits of today's technology. But, again, it was just a concept, and Google hasn't really talked about the product since then.

Twelve months have passed and the popularity of AR has now been replaced by another acronym: AI, shifting most of Google and the tech industry's focus more toward artificial intelligence and machine learning and further away from metaverses and, I guess, glasses that help you transcribe language in real time. Google literally said the word "AI" 143 times during yesterday's I/O event, as counted by CNET.

But it was also during the event that something else caught my eye. No, it wasn't Sundar Pichai's declaration that hotdogs are actually tacos but, instead, a feature that Google briefly demoed with the new Pixel Fold. (The taco of smartphones? Nevermind.)

Google

The company calls it Dual Screen Interpreter Mode, a transcription feature that leverages the front and back screens of the foldable and the Tensor G2's processing power to simultaneously display what's being spoken by one person and how it translates in another language. At a glance, you're able to understand what someone else is saying, even if they don't speak the same language as you. Sound familiar?

I'm not saying a foldable phone is a direct replacement for AR glasses; I still believe there's a future where the latter exists and potentially replaces all the devices we carry around. But the Dual Screen Interpreter Mode on the Pixel Fold is the closest callback we've gotten to Google's year-old concept, and I'm excited to test the feature when it arrives.

Also: All the hardware Google announced at I/O 2023 (and yes, there's a foldable)

The Pixel Fold is available for pre-order right now, and Google says it will start shipping by next month. But even then, you'll have to wait until the fall before the translation feature sees an official release, so stay tuned.

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Google's 'translation glasses' were actually at I/O 2023, and right in front of our eyes - ZDNet - Translation

Google

Exactly one year ago, Google unveiled a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses at its I/O developer conference. But unlike Google Glass, this new concept, which didn't have a name at the time (and still doesn't), demonstrated the practicality of digital overlays, promoting the idea of real-time language translation as you were conversing with another person. 

It wasn't about shooting magic spells or seeing dancing cartoons but rather providing accessibility to something we all do every day: communicating.

Also: How to join the Google Search Labs waitlist to access its new AI search engine

The concept had the appearance of a regular pair of glasses, making it clear that you didn't have to look like a cyborg in order to reap the benefits of today's technology. But, again, it was just a concept, and Google hasn't really talked about the product since then.

Twelve months have passed and the popularity of AR has now been replaced by another acronym: AI, shifting most of Google and the tech industry's focus more toward artificial intelligence and machine learning and further away from metaverses and, I guess, glasses that help you transcribe language in real time. Google literally said the word "AI" 143 times during yesterday's I/O event, as counted by CNET.

But it was also during the event that something else caught my eye. No, it wasn't Sundar Pichai's declaration that hotdogs are actually tacos but, instead, a feature that Google briefly demoed with the new Pixel Fold. (The taco of smartphones? Nevermind.)

Google

The company calls it Dual Screen Interpreter Mode, a transcription feature that leverages the front and back screens of the foldable and the Tensor G2's processing power to simultaneously display what's being spoken by one person and how it translates in another language. At a glance, you're able to understand what someone else is saying, even if they don't speak the same language as you. Sound familiar?

I'm not saying a foldable phone is a direct replacement for AR glasses; I still believe there's a future where the latter exists and potentially replaces all the devices we carry around. But the Dual Screen Interpreter Mode on the Pixel Fold is the closest callback we've gotten to Google's year-old concept, and I'm excited to test the feature when it arrives.

Also: All the hardware Google announced at I/O 2023 (and yes, there's a foldable)

The Pixel Fold is available for pre-order right now, and Google says it will start shipping by next month. But even then, you'll have to wait until the fall before the translation feature sees an official release, so stay tuned.

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Struggling to find the word to describe Trump this week? The historical dictionary can help - inews - Dictionary

Opinion

i columnist

In 1888 ‘trumpery’ was already well understood as a byword for something that may be extremely showy, but is also pretty worthless

May 12, 2023 12:15 pm(Updated 12:58 pm)

Trump himself has of course created a few new terms himself for the various tribes within his party (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

In a glossary of words local to the West Country, “trumpery” is defined as “rubbish of any kind; weeds or any undesirable growth”. Lest we assume the word takes its inspiration from a certain US ex-President, who this week was found liable for sexual assault and defamation, the glossary was compiled in 1888, when “trumpery” was already well understood as a byword for something that may be extremely showy, but is also pretty worthless. It is a useful description perhaps for the state of a man who faces yet more legal troubles down the road but who continues to strut the political stage to the sound of ecstatic applause from supporters who are doubling down rather than backing away.

If the current turbulence – even in already choppy waters – teaches us anything, it’s that Donald Trump’s base is resolutely immovable. Those who love Trump, love Trump, and nothing that their figurehead says or does is going to change that. While many of us struggle to fathom such arguably blind and bottomless loyalty, a historical dictionary will tell us that it is far from new, and that there is consequently a richness of words to describe it.

Sequacity is a good place to start. In the 17th century, this described readiness to follow someone no matter what, without any independence of thought or judgement. Founded upon the Latin sequi, to follow, it is a sibling of “obsequious”, which immediately introduces the notion that many followers of a cause or individual are simply fawning flatterers, who may eventually look the other way should it suit them.

In the same mould is the 17th-century “catchfart”, a mocking nickname for a servant who hung so closely to the coat-tail of their master or mistress that they were in the firing line for a lot more than they bargained for. The list goes on: the Oxford English Dictionary gives us many other labels including “croucher”, “creeper”, “spaniel”, “poodle”, and the rather wonderful “snivelard”.

A “toadeater” was another obsessive. This epithet was given originally to a quack’s assistant in the 17th and 18th centuries, who would be made to eat a poisonous toad in front of an eager crowd and then be magically “cured” by his master’s miraculous potions. The toadeater came to be seen as one who would do anything to please their master, and so to be “toadying” up to him without a second thought.

But what about those who passionately believe in an agenda or cause, without being a fickle windsock about it? Acolytes often take the name of those they follow: Thatcherites, Blairites, Cameroons and Borisites are more recent examples, while some from the past include Hughligans (a faction of the Conservative party in Churchill’s time who followed Lord Hugh Cecil) and the J’aime Berlins, the French nickname for Neville Chamberlain and a dig towards his policy of appeasement towards Germany.

Related Article

Other names wear their past more lightly. Few of us would connect “dunce” with a 13th-century Scottish theologian, but its story began with the followers of John Duns Scotus, a profoundly influential figure in his time, who were known as Dunsmen. The reputation of Duns Scotus suffered during the English Reformation, and his doctrines became seen as outmoded and pedantic. In the mouths of reformers the term “duns”, and later “dunce”, became a term of abuse for someone impervious to new ideas and therefore slow to learn.

A less familiar, but highly useful, term for a short-sighted follower is that of an “ipsedixitist”. Today, it describes someone who takes the word of a single person or authority as gospel, without requiring any evidence to back it up.

Social media is therefore full of ipsedixitists, who take their name from the Latin ipsedixit, “he said so himself”. The “he” in question was the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras, whose disciples believed that whatever the great man said to be true must be accepted as such without question. Today’s ipsedixitism can involve anything from the “absolute fact” you heard down the pub to the “alternative fact” espoused by Donald Trump’s press team.

To throw one more word into the mix, a “bayard” is pithily defined in the OED as “one blind to the light of knowledge, who has the self-confidence of ignorance”. Such ignorance can be seductive – “I don’t wish to be without my brains”, wrote Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician and first computer programmer, “tho’ they doubtless interfere with a blind faith which would be very comfortable”. The Republican Tommy Tuberville clearly finds it quite comfy – after this week’s guilty verdict, the GOP Senator seconded Trump’s own judgement that it was yet another consequence of “THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME”, and added “It makes me want to vote for him twice”.

Trump himself has of course enjoyed a few terms himself for the various tribes within his party. RINO, “Republican in Name Only”, is used by his team for anyone who dares to cross him. Perhaps he also had a hand in naming his Trumpkins, Trumpists, and Trumpniks. For them, there is of course no point in mentioning that “trumpery” has a second meaning in the dictionary, namely “deceit; fraud; trickery”. Perhaps they might even harness the word themselves when questioning the results of the 2020 election. That’s the thing about language – it comes and goes like a gloriously inconstant companion. In the end, most of us will always be philodoxes – lovers of our own opinions. If we look at it like that, we are our own worst catchfarts.

Susie Dent is a lexicographer and etymologist. She has appeared in Dictionary Corner on Countdown since 1992, and co-hosts with Gyles Brandreth the podcast Something Rhymes with Purple.

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