University of Goroka hosts another seminar on translation

Dr Deibler explaining a point to the audience at the seminar

By KATE GUNN of UOG

On Thursday, May 27, 2010 the University of Goroka (UOG) Language and Literature Department hosted its second seminar on language translation work entitled “Problems in Translation”.
The seminar was conducted as part of the department’s celebration of and participation in the United Nation’s proclamation on the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.
Guest presenter of the seminar was again Dr Ellis Deibler, international professional translator with 20 years experience in Papua New Guinea and the Alekano and Yaweyuha languages.
The seminar, aimed at staff, students and members of the community with interests in documenting and preserving their own languages, was well received by a large number of participants who enjoyed an animated and informative presentation from Dr Deibler.
A six-member team from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) also attended the seminar.
Dr Deibler presented to participants the many problems encountered when translating the meaning of text from one language to another.
These included: the audience; the two-step process of translation; grammar; order of phrases and clauses; pronouns; genitives and other figures of speech.
Dr Deibler will conduct a workshop on translation at the UOG on June 30.