Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU) इंदिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय मुक्त विश्वविद्यालय (इग्नू)
School of Translation Studies and Training was established in 2007 and become operational in 2009. The priority areas of the School include academic, research and training programmes in the field of translation. Translation is relatively new discipline in India. As a discipline which is both theory and application oriented, the School constantly strives to integrate teaching learning with research and training in the field of translation. The School works closely in the areas of tradition of translation, developing indigenous knowledge, skill upgrading and skill building in translation among Indian languages, developing translation pedagogy to link Translation to communication of Modern knowledge at grass root level and use of Technology (Machine Translation) in the field of translation.
Key Features:
With its learner-centric approach, SOTST attracts learners not only from India but also from abroad, making it a globally recognized center for Translation Studies through its MATS Programme under E-Vidya Bharti project of MoEA, Govt. of India.
Vision: The School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST) perceives the idea of exploring the avenues and preservation of knowledge by qualitative endeavors in teaching and research relating to the translation studies and other allied areas. To actualize this idea, the School intends to offer relevant academic programmes and research pursuits to contribute to the area of knowledge and strengthen and broaden the innovative perspectives in the exchange and transmission of the invested and available research and knowledge, besides enriching, enhancing the competence of human resources to perform the various activities relating to translation.
Mission: The Mission of the School of Translation Studies and Training is to strengthen the objectives of the University to reaching the unreached and also to contribute to the area of knowledge through teaching, research and extension activities. The committal attitude to this motivates the School to engage itself in the advancement of innovative exercises and research endeavors pertaining to translation studies, inter-disciplinary studies and cultural studies and comparative literature among others. This also involves the School to pay much attention to maintain high quality and standard in the research activities and critical insight to the learners studying various programmes offered by SOTST. In addition to that, the School makes the best efforts for motivation to employability and practical perspectives of studies to the learners to make themselves as good translation practitioners and prove responsible citizens of the nation.
Translation has been associated with the existence of human being. However, before the evolution of language and literature, the unwritten literature or oral literature, the human communication was undertaking through the mode of translation. The very idea of conceiving the thought and ideas has been be co-related with the specific form of translation and that may be treated as conception and construct of ideas, views and transmitting them from one person to the other. As the father of Modem Western Philosophy Rene Descartes, propounded the philosophy of rationalism with the statement cogito-ergo-sum which means "I think therefore I am." Translation is also communicated with these perceptions which explore the communication and exchange of ideas and messages from one language to the other, one person to the other. This crosses with all kinds of boundaries relating to nation, identity, sex, caste and creed. Thus, it has become a necessity for the very existence of human being. As there are thousands of languages in the world and cultural and linguistic exchange is mandatory among the people, therefore, as Susan Bassnett said that translation is a fundamental act of human exchange. Translation is not meant to serve the purpose of linguistic exercise, but act as a means of communication among educated and literate one but also acts as a mode of communication among the common masses, even the uneducated ones.
With the evolution of translation as an act of linguistic exchange and thereafter the mode of transmission of messages and information, translation also evolved as a discipline of studies with occupying a specific space in the areas of studies pertaining to interdisciplinary study, literature and comparative study. This also acted as a means of cultural and political as hegemonies; besides occupying a significant position in the form and construction of power structure.
Keeping in view, the emergence of translation studies as a discipline and its significant place in the domain of knowledge, cutting across the nations, cultures and other boundaries. Translation Studies has become not only an important affair but also a social and academic obligation of our country especially when the nation is having the nature of multi-lingual and multi-cultural societies.
In addition to that, the National Knowledge Commission also underlined the necessity of the activities of translation in Indian perspective for exchange and expansion of knowledge among the various languages and societies. This was endorsed by the National Translation Mission that supported the idea of translating and making the knowledge texts available to the various sections of the society.
The act of translation is associated with the extension and exchange of knowledge, academic enrichment and contribution to the areas of translation by research and other academic pursuits.
This was the background of the idea of formation of Translation as a Discipline of Studies and creation of School of Studies i.e.; School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST) in IGNOU. Since then various efforts have been made with research and academic endeavor of translation practice and translation study as a study of literature. The National Education Policy, 2020 intends to focus on the necessity of translation studies in the expansion of knowledge, educational empowerment in the nation building. The policy proposes to establish an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI). The policy has a major focus on education in regional languages and the School also offers programmes relating to translation between Hindi and Regional languages.
The Mission is to get the best out of students and expose them to gain and bring out their knowledge for contribution towards domain knowledge and research in this discipline for the growth of the nation.
Dear Learners, Faculty, and Esteemed Stakeholders,
It is my great privilege to welcome you, on behalf of School of Translation Studies and Training (SOTST) at IGNOU. There is no doubt that today’s era of science and technology is actually the era of ‘Translation’. Every activity in our life is directly or indirectly governed and controlled by translation; it is a fundamental act as a means of communication between different language-users for cultural and knowledge exchange. In today’s modern era, human life cannot be imagined without translation. Historically, translation is regarded an almost as old as original authorship. Considering the vital role of translation plays, ‘Translation Studies’ emerged as a new discipline of knowledge. The National Education Policy, 2020 intends to focus on the necessity of translation studies in the expansion of knowledge, educational empowerment in the nation building.
In this ‘Age of Translation’, the role of translation studies and translation training have become pivotal in driving societal progress. Our programmes, ranging from certificates to doctoral levels, are meticulously designed to not only impart practical translation skills but also honing of knowledge and its dissemination through research in the field of translation. The programmes are on offer through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). However, M.A. (Translation Studies) is offered in online mode also.
According to National Education Policy 2020, Translation among Indian Languages plays a vital role in disseminating plethora of Indian Knowledge Systems. Our School already dreamed this aspect and considering the importance of exchange of knowledge and literature among Indian languages, different programmes are running related to translation between Indian languages. These programmes intend to familiarize the learners with the theory and practice of translation. The programmes provide opportunity for translators to hone the skills of translation in language-pairs in particular.
Our school is committed to the design, development and delivery of student-centric pedagogy. Learners from diverse backgrounds, including those in remote, far-flung and underserved regions, get equal opportunity to study Translation Studies and allied areas. High quality Self Learning Material (SLM) provides theoretical and practical knowledge of Translation and Translation Studies to learners exploring career opportunities as an Academic, Official Language Officer, and Translation Officer among others. In view of IGNOU’s vision and mission, the School emphasizes access, equity, quality, and flexibility in academic pursuits.
Let us join towards nation building with research and academic endeavor of translation practice and translation study as a domain of study.
Best wishes for your academic and professional endeavors.
