Translation as Growth: Towards a Theory of Language Development

Translation as Growth: Towards a Theory of Language Development is an interesting and original volume by renowned linguist Udaya Narayana Singh. The author argues that translation, like authoring, is a creative act that enriches both the original and translated language. Singh shows that the major modern Indian languages have developed not only through ‘vertical’ translations from the languages of power and knowledge, English and Sanskrit, but also by engaging in ‘horizontal' translations of one another, ultimately contributing to the creation of an inherently pluralistic body of literature in India. The author's theoretical insights, corroborated with ample use of excerpts from original and translated works and discussions from his vast personal experience in this field, will definitely be of great use to students and scholars of literature, comparative literature and linguistics, as well as to translators.