Multi-language Subtitle Project

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Prabhupada Speaks - Vanimedia's Multi-language Subtitle Project

Uniting Srila Prabhupada's Multi-lungual Family

Vanimedia (a petal of the Vanipedia) is creating 1,080 video clips (1 to 10 minutes long) of Srila Prabhupada's audio messages subtitled in multi-languages. Read on and see how you can be engaged in this glorious project.

Introduction

For the first time in history, a powerful acarya in the authorised disciplic succession has left behind live sound recordings of his bhajans, conversations, talks and lectures. From the lotus lips of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, we still have the opportunity to hear directly the illuminating explanations and deep realizations of the pure devotee as he preaches and practices the science of Krsna consciousness.

The unique effects of hearing from the pure devotee are described throughout the Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the Fourth Canto, chapter 20, verse 25, King Prthu prays:

"My dear Lord, You are glorified by the selected verses uttered by great personalities. Such glorification of Your lotus feet is just like saffron particles. When the transcendental vibration from the mouths of great devotees carries the aroma of the saffron dust of Your lotus feet, the forgetful living entity gradually remembers his eternal relationship with You. Devotees thus gradually come to the right conclusion about the value of life. My dear Lord, I therefore do not need any other benediction but the opportunity to hear from the mouth of Your pure devotee."

Srila Prabhupada elaborates in the purport:

"It is explained in the previous verse that one has to hear glorification of the Lord from the mouth of a pure devotee. This is further explained here. The transcendental vibration from the mouth of a pure devotee is so powerful that it can revive the living entity's memory of his eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In our material existence, under the influence of illusory maya, we have almost forgotten our eternal relationship with the Lord, exactly like a man sleeping very deeply who forgets his duties. In the Vedas it is said that every one of us is sleeping under the influence of maya. We must get up from this slumber and engage in the right service, for thus we can properly utilize the facility of this human form of life. As expressed in a song by Thakura Bhaktivinoda, Lord Caitanya says, jiva jaga, jiva jaga. The Lord asks every sleeping living entity to get up and engage in devotional service so that his mission in this human form of life may be fulfilled. This awakening voice comes through the mouth of a pure devotee.
A pure devotee always engages in the service of the Lord, taking shelter of His lotus feet, and therefore he has a direct connection with the saffron mercy-particles that are strewn over the lotus feet of the Lord. Although when a pure devotee speaks the articulation of his voice may resemble the sound of this material sky, the voice is spiritually very powerful because it touches the particles of saffron dust on the lotus feet of the Lord. As soon as a sleeping living entity hears the powerful voice emanating from the mouth of a pure devotee, he immediately remembers his eternal relationship with the Lord, although up until that moment he had forgotten everything.
For a conditioned soul, therefore, it is very important to hear from the mouth of a pure devotee, who is fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Lord without any material desire, speculative knowledge or contamination of the modes of material nature. Every one of us is kuyogi because we have engaged in the service of this material world, forgetting our eternal relationship with the Lord as His eternal loving servants. It is our duty to rise from the kuyoga platform to become suyogis, perfect mystics. The process of hearing from a pure devotee is recommended in all Vedic scriptures, especially by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One may stay in his position of life -- it does not matter what it is -- but if one hears from the mouth of a pure devotee, he gradually comes to the understanding of his relationship with the Lord and thus engages in His loving service, and his life becomes completely perfect. Therefore, this process of hearing from the mouth of a pure devotee is very important for making progress in the line of spiritual understanding."

Having Srila Prabhupada's audio available, with multi-language subtitles, facilitates all of his family members from around the globe to humbly and respectfully hear from him. In this way, no-one is barred from making their lives completely perfect. This project will surely prove to be one of the most uniting forces of Srila Prabhupada's multi-lingual family situated in all corners of the planet. It will also help to increase the family members of Srila Prabhupada by making it easy to introduce Srila Prabhupada's messages to the people of all Nations.

Languages of the World

Here is a sheet of languages that we plan to have subtitled. The total number of people speaking these languages is 6,865,000. This list comprises the most-spoken languages of the world, and also the smaller European languages. If you would like to translate a language not listed here, please contact us [email protected] and we will add it. In Dotsub, the online translating program that we use for subtitling, 508 languages are supported. Indeed there is no lack of languages to translate and Srila Prabhupada instructed his GBC that printing and translation must continue, stating "this is my request." So here is a practical and effective way to satisfy Srila Prabhupada's request to continue translating by subtitling his words in multiple languages.

Methodology

This is a collaborative service being offered by followers of His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness. Via collaboration difficult tasks become very easy. By building teams of translators it will be possible to achieve these goals for Srila Prabhupada's pleasure and to benefit the people of this world irrespective of which language they speak. All videos will be accessed via Vanimedia.org and also via YouTube. We plan 1,080 video clips so this will give people an unparrelled access to Srila Prabhupada's spoken words.

Coordinating Team

the coordinating team is:

  • selecting the audio clips that will be used - anyone can suggest their favorite clip as well.
  • helping devotees get accustomed to the Dotsub website.

Our Proceedure

  • 1. We choose the quote - either from an existing Vaniquotes page or from Vedabase.
  • 2. a) We then create the audio file and a Vaniquotes page and place them into the Clips to subtitle table.
  • 2. b) If the audio file is not available we request it from the Bhaktivedanta Archives.
  • 3. We create the subtitles in English.
  • 4. We upload the video with English subtitles into Dotsub for translating and in YouTube for viewing.
  • 5. In Dotsub many translators can simulantiously translate into various languages.
  • 6. When a language is completed in a Dotsub video it is then synchronized with the YouTube video.

Getting Involved

Become a Vanimedia translator

  • You are familiar with translation from English into your mother language!
  • You are not so familiar but you are confident that you could make a translation!
  • You want to help your fellow countrymen to hear Srila Prabhupada!
  • You love to, or would love to, associate with Srila Prabhupada's audio!
  • You want to render some personal service to Srila Prabhupada!
  • You want to see Srila Prabhupada's teachings distributed to every corner of the globe!
  • You have an hour or two of spare time!
  • You appreciate the power of collaborative efforts facilitating lots of people doing a little work to get super-excellent results!

Here is a great opportunity waiting for you, no matter how much time you are able to offer. We are recruiting translators who want to be part of this historical initiative.

Contact us at [email protected] and we will add you to our list of translators.

You Will Experience

  • direct association with Srila Prabhupada as you translate his words!
  • a personal offering, made by you, for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada!
  • the joy of serving, with your multi-language family members, in a dynamic project!
  • a team of enthused translators who stimulate you to offer your service with joy!
  • a user friendly process!
  • all assistance to perform your service nicely!

You Will Create

  • an opportunity for people of your language to directly hear Srila Prabhupada!
  • a never before existing multi-language repository of Srila Prabhupada's recorded words!
  • a possibility for over 75% of the people of this planet to directly hear Srila Prabhupada!
  • the opportunity for Srila Prabhupada to personally (via his sound vibration) enter into millions of peoples homes and hearts!

Start a Prabhupada-vani Embassy

The language teams can evolve into Embassies for each language. When an enthused devotee comes forward to accomplish this service, he or she can become the Ambassador of that language, and inspire many people to participate. If you like to inspire and coordinate people then please contact us for a skype interview at [email protected]

1080 Videos

We want to offer to the worldwide followers of Srila Prabhupada at least 1,080 of these 1 to 10 minute video clips of Srila Prabhupada's spoken words - all subtitled with at least 32 and up to 108 languages. Please support this effort generously by joining one of the language teams, or finding translators.

How long will this take?

One clip takes about an hour to translate. 108 clips will take 108 hours and 1,080 clips will take about 1,080 hours. If we manage to do them in 50 languages then these are the time frames we are looking at.

  • 108 clips in 50 languages will take a collective amount of 5,400 hours of translating.
  • 1080 clips in 50 languages will take a collective amount of 54,000 hours of translating.

Wow, that sounds like a lot. But if we build up teams it is not much for an individual to do.

Lets say we get an average of 5 translators for each language. Then, the individual "service time" to offer would only be 22 hours per person to complete the first 108 clips, and only 216 hours to complete the 1,080 clips.

If we have an average of 10 translators for each language, then the individual "service time" to offer would only be 11 hours per person to complete the first 108 clips, and only 108 hours to complete the 1,080 clips.

Now I am sure you see where we are going with this? That's right! The more devotees blissfully involved, the less effort that has to be made by each individual.

Lets look at this scenario. An average of 20 translators per language works out to be less than 6 hours of service to complete 108 clips and 54 hours to complete the 1,080 clips.

In just 9 weeks, a single language can be completed, with 1,080 clips, if we have 20 devotees offering 6 hours of service a week.

Through collaboration, wonderful things are possible. Let's enthusiastically get this glorious project up and running. Our goal is to complete the full 1,080 clips (in at least 32 languages) by Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja festival of 2014 - that's rocking.

Starting Your Seva

If you want to help then please follow the directions here and with only 1 hour or less of service you will have translated a video into a new language. If you know of devotees who can translate the missing languages then please share this link with them. Any questions can be asked to [email protected]

Introducting Dotsub

In order to facilitate the large volume of work needed to achieve our goals we have opted for using an online website (Dotsub.com) to subtitle the clips into each language. This dedicated platform for multi-language translations has 508 languages waiting for Srila Prabhupada's words to be translated.

Using Dotsub

  • Process for translating videos at DotSub.com.
  1. Sign up at DotSub.com with username and password;
  2. E-mail your username to [email protected]. Please introduce yourself - where you are from, what is your first language, where you live now;
  3. Your username will be added to the Vanimedia Translators group at DotSub, and you will receive an email confirming this. Belonging to the Vanimedia Translators group enables you to translate any of Srila Prabhupada’s videos into any language;
  4. You can find all the videos we have uploaded to Dotsub listed at this address - http://dotsub.com/view/user/vanimedia and you can choose videos to translate from the Clips to subtitle list
  5. On the right of the video choose your language;
  6. Click the ‘Translate’ button;
  7. If you like, you can get suggestions from Google Translate in each field. If your language is supported by Google translate, there will be an option to do this just above where you choose your source language;
  8. Place your translation under each English line;
  9. You may also listen to the video, pause, and go back or forward as you translate;
  10. As each line of translation is entered the percentage for that language is updated;
  11. Translators may stop at any time and continue later;
  12. Translations can be easily edited for corrections by anyone in the Vanimedia Translators group;
  13. When you have 100% finished a language, please watch the video again with your subtitles to check you are satisfied with the result, and then send an email to [email protected] confirming the 100% completion. We will then be able to properly adminster the video;
  14. When translations are at 100% they will be synced to YouTube by DotSub admin account;
  15. Translations may also be downloaded as text or srt files to be saved or read offline;
  16. When translations are confirmed to be correct the editing function can be turned off.
  • Other information/features of DotSub.
  1. Groups can be created for individual videos as well as one group for all videos;
  2. DotSub facilitates 508 different languages.
  3. Videos are automatically uploaded to YouTube by DotSub;
  4. Beneath a video there is a Transcription tab. This shows the full text of the chosen language;
  5. As the video plays this transcription text highlights as words are spoken;
  6. By selecting transcription text words it is possible to jump to different places in the video;
  • YouTube
  1. Subtitle font color and size can be changed in the settings of the YouTube player;
  • Useful links:-

Results So Far

We launched this project in the beginning of March 2013 and by the 27th of March Gaura Purnima we had our first video clip with 34 subtitles ready. Click here to play our first - history in the making clip. (on the video, click the "captions" button to select your language.) We now have over 330 video clips uploaded, and so far 81 translators have translated over 1700 subtitles in 41 languages. Here you can see the our results, and here also is a Spreadsheet of Results. Keep coming back to watch this grow, or better still become part of it and help it grow.

  • The first pilot-project video was published on the 19th March 2013, and the 2nd video on 7th May 2013;
  • As of the 10th of June 2013 we have published our first 108 videos (10% done) in 35 days - that averages at 3.06 a day!
  • As of the 5th of July 2013 we have published our second 108 videos (20% done) in 25 days - that averages at 4.32 a day!
  • As of the 19th of July 2013 we have published 270 videos (25% done) in a total of only 74 days - that averages at 3.65 a day!
  • As of the 7th of August 2013 we have published our third 108 videos (30% done) in 33 days - that averages at 3.27 a day! (1610 subtitles)

Blessings Please

Praying for the blessings of the Vaisnavas, we are gearing up to make hundreds of small audio clips with multi-language subtitles, thus facilitating people from every corner of the world, speaking as many languages as possible, to directly hear and understand Srila Prabhupada's sublime message of truth and love.

Tables Relating to the Project

--- Clips to Subtitle --- Multi-language Subtitle Results --- Translating Teams --- Languages to Subtitle --- YouTube Videos With Themes --- Spreadsheet of Results ---

Appreciations

Experiences from Translators

Serene, Singapore - I started from compiling with Visnu Murti Prabhu’s team, they then taught me to create pages and compile at the same time. As I was involved in this seva I had the opportunity to read the books and lectures given by Srila Prabhupada in different parts of the world. It was very inspiring that I never stopped doing it even for a day. I realized one thing. The specialty of Srila Prabhupada are all the valuable treasures (Books) that he has given us. When distributed it can multiply and multiply into many millions. It is ever lasting, even after us the next generation will benefit. It’s very blissful. When I was given the opportunity to translate I felt like directly associating with Prabhupada. I felt it as a gift. And it is very profound. For someone aspiring to become his servant of servant, there is no greater gift than this.

Prahlada Bhakta Dasa, Akan - Kindly permit to share some thoughts about the multi language project.

I had the fortune of being invited as a translator in July, 2013 when Visnu Murti Prabhu kindly invited me to do a 3 –week vani retreat at Radhadesh. To say the least, this retreat has made a significant impact on my life as an aspiring devotee. Somehow, I had already read (from Srila Prabhupada's teachings) some of the texts that I am currently translating. However, I must admit that, the direct translations of the videos have offered me a rare opportunity to reflect rather deeply on what Srila Prabhupada said......or, meant. It is really amazing, how blissful it is to associate with Srila Prabhupada via this means (of translating).

I depart for my home country, Ghana with a deep feeling of separation from my new friends…Saha, Rishab, Visnu Murti (and his good wife) and very recently, Linda. My prayer to Srila Prabhupada and to this wonderful team of VANI WARRIORS is that They heal my grieving heart from this feeling of separation by offering me further opportunities to serve them even, in separation. I am extremely fortunate to be able to associate with Srila Prabhupada at such a profound level. Many thanks to the vani team for giving me the opportunity to do this seva.

Gunamani Devi Dasi, Danish - First listen, then understand, then explain it to others. This is the essence of this service, which came to this fallen soul, praying for some association. A wonderful opportunity to associate with Srila Prabhupada and become enlivened in Krishna consciousness.

Now the people of my country - friends, family, neighbors, colleagues can hear the voice of the pure devotee, the voice which reveals his mood, humor and kindness even when he uses words as "rascal", and they can read the subtitles and become Krishna conscious. Instead of a tombstone, my children and grandchildren, whom I love very much, will be able to hear of Krishna, if they want to remember me, when I am gone.

It is like putting your money in the most safe bank account in the world. Even if the world of electricity and oil collapses as could be expected, there is still no loss or diminution, since the result for this soul is everlasting and on top it is joyfully performed. I pray for the blessings of the Vaisnavas to be able to continue.

Mahalaxmi Devi Dasi, Serbian - I am very grateful for this opportunity to sprinkle my heart with a few drops from the shore-less ocean of refreshing nectar of Srila Prabhupada's words. Translating one video a day enables me not only to do some minute yet very personal service to Srila Prabhupada by making his words available to those uneasy with English; but it has also become something like a daily transcendental surprise - unpacking what is hidden in each drop of mercy. Despite being more and more in awe at Srila Prabhupada's expertise in presenting transcendental discourses with each contact with his words, I must sadly admit that many times due to varied reasons I have failed to hear him everyday.

This service is very simple. And it is very profound. It allows me to spend time with Srila Prabhupada, serving time. For someone aspiring to become his servant, there is no greater gift than this.

Mayapur Dasa, French - Hearing from Srila Prabhupada, I am impressed by his expansive knowledge of the Vedic scriptures and his masterful delivery. I am also moved by his undisputable logic and ability to invoke devotion for Krsna. These cement in my heart the conviction about his position as acharya. I know I am in safe as long as I stay with him. I appreciate my good fortune to have been directed to his teachings and pray to be given this same grace life after life, until such time that I may become eligible for entry in the spiritual world.

Translating Srila Prabhupada allows me to better empathise with the challenge of passing-on descending knowledge. That the human mind cannot conceive of such superior knowledge is evidenced by its constant attempts to correlate this knowledge to the inferior empirical universe and vocabulary, in order to understand it, share it and discuss it . It is this blending with the empirical that inevitably threatens the superior Vedic paradigms with "watering down".

Irina, Russian - I like it. We have to think and then speak, not opposite :) And we have to tell what we've heard to others. Very nice.

Vijaya Baladeva Dasa, Czech - Thank you for giving me this opportunity to use some of my translating skills and at the same time to have direct association with Srila Prabhupada through his teachings. Let's flood the internet with this wisdom, let's try to make Srila Prabhupada's teachings well known to everybody.

Parthsarathy Mitra, Bengali - I feel greatly honored to perform this seva for our spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. Apart from the joy of sharing the instructions with all prabhujees and matajees in our own mother tongue, is the opportunity of reading the nectarine words of Srila Prabhupada again and again...

Linda Bērce, Latvian - Sharing my experience in translation of Srila Prabhupadas nectarean messages from Vanimedia, this possibility is truly wonderful. From my studies I have understood that translation also is an art- one can use such translation means as domestication, literal translation, addition, deletion, etc. But when we translate such an exalted personality, there must be careful consideration made, how should the target text be adapted and which words should be chosen so that it is harmonically suited to the message Srila Prabhupada is giving in the video. Another important thing is that Srila Prabhupada is speaking in the conversational style, which means not all the aspects can be rendered directly as they are, but should be presented in the style listeners can understand as well as the punctuation marks should be chosen accordingly…undoubtedly changes there have to be made. But the system you all have given is very well thought out.

I like the system that we can see which languages are taken, how far the subtitle making process is done. Another thing is also when we see already added subtitles, sometimes the “whole picture” asks for some more changes in the target language- then you kindly offer to check and, if needed, make the necessary changes. Because from my experience, when we read the translated text over and over again, sometimes we tend not to see some minor slips, as we know the text. Then this “whole picture” helps a lot. Therefore I can say that my experience with this project is truly positive. I just wish you all the strength and enthusiasm to further this beautiful service. Of course a very nice motivation for me is that translation in so many languages can be used by so many... and when i see the clearly formulated target, it is easier to get enthused.

Revati Devi Dasi, German - This service, this translating of Srila Prabhupada's quotes for Vanipedia, is truly direct association with Srila Prabhupada. I started only some days ago, and immediately I found that whatever was in my mind, Srila Prabhupada was giving some answers for my questions - forty years ago! It’s not that I did not read his books, but still, this translating is much more personal.

Like in one of the first translations I did, Srila Prabhupada explained, how just reading is not enough. We have to go very deep, try to really understand. And then – explain it to others! In some way, when we translate, we do exactly like this, we make Srila Prabhupada's words understandable (we explain, without change) in our language. That is perfection, Srila Prabhupada said. So, at least in this point I came to perfection! I feel very much blessed by being allowed to do this service!

So, in order to translate one has to penetrate very deeply into the subject matter, otherwise the result will not be understandable for others. And this absorption is connecting me - to Srila Prabhupada, to Lord Caitanya's mission and to Krsna Himself. And immediately some new ideas are coming – about how to use what I read, what I learn, what I understand on a deeper (or higher) level in preaching.

That's what I like most, when I am translating, this feeling of being connected. Sometimes it’s not easy. The translation must be correct, but on the other hand understandable. And sometimes it is even difficult to understand what Srila Prabhupada wanted to say. But then, when I really don't know at all how to do it – then suddenly, the inspiration is there. Not just which words to use to create the proper text, but also the deeper understanding, what Srila Prabhupada wanted to say. And that's not just on an intellectual level. In these moments I feel the connection is there, I just have to be open to receive help.

For me personally, in my present situation, this is the perfect service, because I can do it, whenever there is some time and since it is quite addictive, it saves me from wasting any time. As soon as I start (“just a little bit today”) I can’t stop anymore. I did some translations before, song texts, small books and even started to translate a bigger one. But it is not the same. Not like service, but rather like just for my own pleasure. Because no one asked me to do it. No one was asking me “how is it going on?” and - last but not least when will I be able to print it?

This is different now, because what ever I translate can be read by others immediately. Furthermore this working in a team is more binding, saves one from becoming idle, gives such a deep satisfaction. I am "worried" only about one point: What will I do with my life, when this translation service will be done? I wonder where this will lead to.

Madana-mohana Mohini Devi Dasi, Polish - Srila Prabhupada is saying in one of his short video clips that this is his practical experience, that while doing his reading and writing work he doesn’t feel fatigued and he takes pleasure in doing that. Well, as a new mother to a wonderful baby girl I can’t relate to it fully, as feelings of fatigue accompany me twenty four hours. Not much time and energy is there to spare for any new projects. But the pleasure in doing this translation seva… works as an addiction. Once I tried I can’t stop. One clip per day. Pleasure is bigger than fatigue. That must be the difference Prabhupada is talking in his lecture between material work and spiritual purpose. I wish all of you to get your spiritual sense, taste, to be part in this great project, to give to people speaking in your native languages these Pearls of Wisdom. Even if you think you have no time for it, I believe you can find it once you give it a try. That is my practical experience.

Mahesh Thali, India - I am a Marathi translator from Mumbai, India. I'm thanking Visnu Murti Prabhu for selecting me to perform the devotional service to our Spiritual Master and Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada. To become a translator, from what I can understood, is one must have read and listened to a maximum of Srila Prabhupada's Lectures, Conversations, Letters and other books. Just reading purports of BG or SB is not sufficient for translation. This is because one has to understand Srila Prabhupada (it's very difficult to understand him and Krsna.) to whatever extent one can. It is like getting in tune to His Divine Grace and trying to understand his message. And by having read alot of his literatures, it is helping me very much in performing this translation service. Without knowing truly His Divine Grace and his message, the translation is very difficult. The automated-translators can not understand the Vedic languages. So I have to translate the whole text myself, and that also without changing the basic essence of Srila Prabhupada's original message. I'm also enjoying Sanskrit(Devanagari) typing, which I never did in my lifetime.

I like the work very much because, I've got an opportunity to listen to Srila Prabhupada again and again and associate all the time with him. During translation I refer to many Marathi literatures, so my reading gets doubled. The more I'm translating, my Vedic Knowledge is getting multiplied. I'm feeling so much energized and happy doing this work. In fact day by day my hunger to listen Srila Prabhupada is increasing and hence the inspiration too. It is a very big project and needs a team work. I'm congratulating everyone from our team to get such good opportunity to perform the seva to Srila Prabhupada ... HariBol.....

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