Dear Selma,
A suggestion: You were a translator--- nothing less, nothing more. Do
not get into such matters if you find it hard on yourself. Yet, you
learnt something --- a bit about process, and more about yourself.
On the other hand, consider writing a column where you suggest that
more Goans sign up to be Koknani translators. BTW, it gets very
difficult if you are in Family court. All our family pretences
crumble. In Family Court, (including DV) There are also times when the
opposite translator is intentionally translating incorrectly to suit
his offendor (male being) and one protests, only to be help in
contempt. This happened to Cecilia (my insane angel) --- and I believe
she was escorted out.
venantius j pinto
From: Eddie Fernandes eddie.fernan...@gmail.com
Subject: [Goanet] Selma Carvalho: Who the Bleep cares about
Konkani-English translators?
Title: Who the Bleep cares about Konkani-English translators?
By: Selma Carvalho
Source: Goan Voice Daily Newsletter 8 Feb. 2010 at
http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/
Full text:
This week, through a very circuitous route, I found myself being chosen as a
Konkani-English-Konkani translator in a legal case. A few weeks ago, I had
written a column about a tarvotti, Francisco Carlo Godinho, who was charged
with the murder of an Alice Emily Brewster, in 1911. He had been tried in
an English court, but was unable to fully participate in his defence because
the evidence against him had been translated into Hindi while he only
understood Konkani. So when a similar circumstance presented itself, I felt
my conscience prodding me to offer my assistance.
(del)
My downcast eyes discreetly searched the room for my offender. At a
certain level did I already know who it was? Did I not want to know? In my
perpetual search for identity, a clue appeared before me. Perhaps it's the
uncontrollable, unmitigated and indescribable urge we feel to protect those
that look like us and speak like us, the need to plead on their behalf, to
shelter them and if need be to make excuses for them. And even as I felt
this gush of emotion, there was another one accompanying it; the feeling of
shame, that one of my own had shown us in a poor light. This mass of emotion
was surely proof that group identity is not entirely an abstract or nebulous
concept.
(del)
Do leave your feedback at carvalho_...@yahoo.com
