An Overview of Translation Practice in Odisha: From Transcreation to Translation

The paper studies the historical evolution of translation tradition in an Indian provincial state, Odisha. The translation practice in Odisha projects an extensive history that enlists massive translations published since antiquity. The existing studies on the history of Odia translation focused either on the chronological development of Odia literature with an emphasis on translation or analyzed the socio-political matrix that prepared grounds for language movement and encouraged the literary development in Odia language. We argue that the study remains incomplete without a critical analysis of the trends, methods, strategies, and evolving discourses on translation that are not mutually exclusive. Changes were marked not only in the translation practice in distinct literary periods but also in the perception of the practitioners on defining translation. Exposure to world literature and Western concepts associated with translation practice enabled the Odia translators to examine practical problems and implement specific principles in their work. Nevertheless, the adopted strategies and principles were not blind adherence to Western concepts. We intend to examine the critical essays (nineteenth–twentieth century) reflecting the history, relevance, prevalent trends, principles, methods, and strategies of translation in Odisha. The thorough study redefines translation in Odisha from various perspectives. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the discourses on Odia translation from transcreation to adaptation, self-reliance to intertextuality.