Multi-language Subtitle Project

From Vanimedia

Revision as of 10:51, 15 March 2014 by Visnu Murti (talk | contribs) (→‎Results So Far)


Uniting Śrīla Prabhupāda's Multi-lungual Family

Prabhupada Speaks - Vanimedia's Multi-language Subtitle Project

Vanimedia (a petal of the Vanipedia) is creating 1,080 video clips (1 to 10 minutes long) of Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda, 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."

Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's multi-lingual family situated in all corners of the planet. It will also help to increase the family members of Śrīla Prabhupāda by making it easy to introduce Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his GBC that printing and translation must continue, stating "this is my request." So here is a practical and effective way to satisfy Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda, 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda!
  • You love to, or would love to, associate with Śrīla Prabhupāda's audio!
  • You want to render some personal service to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
  • You want to see Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org and we will add you to our list of translators.

You Will Experience

  • direct association with Śrīla Prabhupāda as you translate his words!
  • a personal offering, made by you, for the pleasure of Śrīla Prabhupāda!
  • 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda!
  • a never before existing multi-language repository of Śrīla Prabhupāda's recorded words!
  • a possibility for over 75% of the people of this planet to directly hear Śrīla Prabhupāda!
  • the opportunity for Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org

1080 Videos

We want to offer to the worldwide followers of Śrīla Prabhupāda at least 1,080 of these 1 to 10 minute video clips of Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vyasa Puja festival of 2015 - 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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org

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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org. 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda’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 multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org confirming the 100% completion. We will then be able to properly administer the video;
  14. When translations are at 100% they will be synced to YouTube by DotSub admin account;
  15. Whenever you re-edit a 100% completed translation please notify us at the above address so we know to re-sync the updated translation with YouTube;
  16. Translations may also be downloaded as text (.txt) or text with the video timings (.srt) to be saved and read offline. (Choose 'Text File (.txt)' or 'SubRip (.srt)' from the drop-down box above the language list on the right), then just click on the language name in the list to download;
  17. 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 uploaded and synced to YouTube from within DotSub by the Vanipedia Translation Admins;
  4. Beneath each video is a Transcription tab (third tab from left). 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;
  2. Languages can be selected by clicking the small white rectangular icon at the bottom right of the video player (fourth icon from the right).
  • Useful links:-
  • For all assistance please contact multi-language@no spam, thanks-vanipedia.org

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 640 video clips uploaded, and so far 152 translators assisted by 6 others have translated over 5,750 subtitles in 55 languages. Here you can see the our 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)
  • August 29th - Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja - Our multi-language subtitle project reaches 396 videos, subtitled a total 2009 times in 42 languages. 86 translators and 5 assistants have participated so far.
  • As of the 4th of September 2013 we have published our fourth set of 108 videos (40% done) in 28 days - that averages at 3.86 a day! (2139 subtitles)
  • As of the 26th of September 2013 - 48th Anniversary arrival of Srila Prabhupada in the West - we have published our fifth set of 108 videos (50% done) in 22 days - that averages at 4.91 a day! (2671 subtitles in 43 languages kindly translated by 93 devotees and assisted by 6 others) - first 50% (540 videos) created in only 143 days - that averages at 3.78 a day!
  • October 6th 2013 - 36th Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada - Our multi-language subtitle project has 546 videos, subtitled a total of 3090 times in 46 languages. 105 translators and 6 assistants have participated so far.
  • November 30th 2013 - on the eve of our 6th annual Srila Prabhupada vanimarathon - Our multi-language subtitle project has 546 videos, subtitled a total of 3425 times in 49 languages. 121 translators and 6 assistants have participated so far. The VanimediaMayapur YouTube channel has been viewed 16,188 times.
  • December 31st 2013 Our multi-language subtitle project has 546 videos, subtitled a total of 4,250 times in 51 languages. 129 translators and 6 assistants have participated so far. The VanimediaMayapur YouTube channel has been viewed 18,054 times. So far, one video has subtitles for 49 languages, 8 videos have subtitles for 30 or more languages, 29 videos have subtitles for 20 or more languages, 92 videos have subtitles for 15 or more languages, 154 videos have subtitles for 10 or more languages and 285 videos have subtitles for 5 or more languages.
  • February 3rd 2014 Our multi-language subtitle project reaches 556 videos, subtitled a total of 5,008 times in 54 languages. 141 translators and 6 assistants have participated so far. The VanimediaMayapur YouTube channel has been viewed 20,085 times. So far, one video has subtitles for 53 languages, 13 videos have subtitles for 30 or more languages, 39 videos have subtitles for 20 or more languages, 111 videos have subtitles for 15 or more languages, 164 videos have subtitles for 10 or more languages and 471 videos have subtitles for 5 or more languages.
  • March 16th 2014 Our multi-language subtitle project reaches 640 videos, subtitled a total of 5,557 times in 55 languages. 152 translators and 6 assistants have participated so far. The VanimediaMayapur YouTube channel has been viewed 25,250 times. So far, one video has subtitles for 55 languages, 4 videos have subtitles for 35 or more languages, 13 videos have subtitles for 30 or more languages, 26 videos have subtitles for 25 or more languages, 53 videos have subtitles for 20 or more languages, 132 videos have subtitles for 15 or more languages, 185 videos have subtitles for 10 or more languages and 544 videos have subtitles for 5 or more languages.

Blessings Please

Desiring to unit and expand Śrīla Prabhupāda's Multi-lingual family, we pray 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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

Micha, Arabic - When I translate I feel it is amazing to be hearing Śrīla Prabhupāda's voice. It is as if I am present in his lectures. I feel so blessed to be able to do this seva and to hear his voice and hear how he explains everything in detail. The way that he speaks is very directed to the soul. These videos are amazing and a great seva so again thank you so much. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Sarvabhauma Dasa, Bulgarian - I am really happy that I have the opportunity to share some words of experience and appreciation from my participation in this wonderful project. It has been an honor and delight to come in contact with this service opportunity and become a member of this united team of translators from all over the world with the mission to represent the immortal vani of His Divine Grace to as many languages as possible. I am really excited that my fellow countrymen and women will get in touch with the instructions and voice of Śrīla Prabhupāda which, if taken seriously, can deliver them from all kinds of problems and anxieties in life. The submissive oral reception of the sweet message of Lord Krishna transmitted by His pure devotee is all we need to become happy in this world and be transferred to the spiritual kingdom at the time of death. So I can see how great and important is this opportunity, firstly for myself to purify my own consciousness by the words emanating from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master and then to pass on those same words, as they are, in my native language for those who are eager to hear and understand them.

I would like to thank profusely to the group of devotees at VaniMedia who are putting forward so much effort and bright ideas to create opportunities for us to get involved in service to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, the greatest spiritual master in all history. It is a pleasure to associate with and assist all the devotees in their glorious service. May the fame of Śrīla Prabhupāda be spread all over the world.

Mahabhava Svarupa Devi Dasi, Bulgarian - I have been praying to Krishna to engage me in some service and make some use of me and by the mercy of Śrīla Prabhupāda and his sincere and dedicated devotees I got the opportunity to participate in this wonderful project. Very soon I realized that I have been missing this kind of association with Śrīla Prabhupāda. Listening to his words, simple and yet charged with such deep realizations and knowledge and feeling his warmth, caring, compassion and generosity are truly life -and heart- changing. I thought how lucky I am to be able to perform this inspiring and lovely service. Every time before starting the translation I pray to Krishna and Śrīla Prabhupāda to give me intelligence so I can do my best. It is a huge responsibility to translate the words of a pure devotee and so rewarding at the same time. First I listen to the video, then I translate and in the end I listen to the video again. Just by his intonation Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses and enriches so much the meaning of the words. With just a few sentences he has the power to destroy long-lasting doubts and insecurities. When we engage our mind by listening to his words it surely becomes our best friend. I feel spiritually safe and at home.

Rohit, French - I just finished the December marathon subtitling into French. It was a very ecstatic month despite the fact I couldn't translate as much as I wanted to, but still this will remain as a very beautiful memory and experience. Now I can feel why this month was very special to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Sheela Ravishankar, Hindi - I feel very fortunate to be able to hear from Śrīla Prabhupāda on so many topics, or is it just One? :-) I never tire of hearing him. He talks to us through his lectures and like Krishna he too is unlimited - in knowledge, in compassion - in everything. I hope and pray that Krishna willing I can continue to do this minuscule service for dear Śrīla Prabhupāda till he so desires.

Serene, Tamil - 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda. 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda said......or, meant. It is really amazing, how blissful it is to associate with Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's words. Translating one video a day enables me not only to do some minute yet very personal service to Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda, 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda through his teachings. Let's flood the internet with this wisdom, let's try to make Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings well known to everybody.

Parthsarathy Mitra, Bengali - I feel greatly honored to perform this seva for our spiritual master Śrīla Prabhupāda. 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda is giving in the video. Another important thing is that Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's quotes for Vanipedia, is truly direct association with Śrīla Prabhupāda. I started only some days ago, and immediately I found that whatever was in my mind, Śrīla Prabhupāda 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, Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda's words understandable (we explain, without change) in our language. That is perfection, Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda, 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 - Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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, Marathi - 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda (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 Śrīla Prabhupāda'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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda 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 Śrīla Prabhupāda ... HariBol.....

Retrieved from "https://vanimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Multi-language_Subtitle_Project&oldid=17471"