Random Reflexions

One of the hardest things about translation from English to Dhivehi is translating user interface elements of computer software. I am translating a complex remote-sensing application used in commercial fishing and the obstacles I face at translating the menu items, the tool bars and the various diaglog boxes is proving to be frustratingly difficult to cross.

Besides the lack of straight forward words for user interface elements such as "exit" or even "options" there is something inherently strange about using regular Dhivehi words in the context of a software. For instance, the word "window" - the rectangular area containing various user interface elements - when directly translated would be "kuda dhoru" or "dhoru". So instead we use the English word as it is and that is the common and accepted practice today. But there are words such as "print" that can be translated in proper context of software but still sound equally out of place.

When we say "chaapu kolla" we immediately get the image of a giant offset printer chugging out the daily newspaper.

Of course, a lot of it has to do with the lack of words for technological terms when technology first arrived here. Those people bestowed with the responsibility of advancing our language did not find a need to fill the vacuum created by the lack of Dhivehi words for technology that we use everyday. We just ended up using English words for the terms when referring to elements of software and hardware. Maybe somewhere in the future popular culture may help evolve new words for aspects of software and technology.

Although Dhivehi provides for richness in poetry and can be effectively used in writing and oration we find that there is much to be desired from it when it comes to technology. In that sense Dhivehi has not been a very progressive language. Just because we have 10 words for "coconut" does not mean in anyway it has a rich vocabulary (rich in a poetical or phrasal sense perhaps). Obviously these words came as a result of the coconut playing an important role in our past. But does it play that same role today as does, say, the computer?

It is natural to find in any culture richness of words that describe things and activities commonly found and practiced in that particular culture. For instance, while (as previously mentioned) we have 10 words for coconut we have just one word for the different kinds of alcoholic drinks such as wine, tequila, chardonnay, champagne, beer etc: All of that is "ban'gu raa".

Strangely enough we find that there is an abundance of words related to sexual activities and genitalia in Dhivehi. Indeed, our forefathers had done their job to perfection in that department. We find that Dhivehi is very rich, sometimes embarrassingly so, in this department.

For instance, "nakasthelhun" is the word that very specifically describes the act, by a man, of attempting to continue having intercourse even after he has achieved orgasm. Another, "Hotukolhu" is the very specific word for the rear-end of four legged animals. One can easily guess at how these words would have come about or even the context in which they were used. In the case of the first example it is vividly obvious. In the latter case, well, I wonder in what context such a word would have been used.

There's more. We even have a word specifically for the penis of young boys. And while there is no specific word for vaginal lubrication in English, we've got one! So on and so forth.

In my opinion, we ought to come up with words for technology that have now become essential to us. The official French vocabulary did not have a word for "email" so they adopted the French sounding word "courriel" from Québécois French. Perhaps could we follow the same method by consulting linguists of our neighbouring countries.

Or we can simply adopt the English words as we have done so far and make them official. In which case, part of my translation services would vanish. So while it is still there and "hotukolhu" is amusing and useless at the same time, I need to find a word (or maybe a short sentence as it maybe) for "preferences".