IHEYO Volunteers Spread the Message of Humanism in New Languages
The Asian Working Group of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization has completed the translation of the Amsterdam Declaration into four Asian languages: Nepali, Tagalog, Traditional Mandarin Chinese, and Urdu. Volunteer translators from Taiwan, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Nepal worked over the last year to complete the translations.
According to the working group, the project is not an evangelical effort to spread humanism. The endeavor was undertaken in an attempt to help give member organizations and individuals already working to promote Humanism in Asia and in regions where Asian languages are spoken more material with which to introduce themselves and their values. Having the materials will allow these group to better explain who they are, and what motivates them to do good in the world.
Groups in the region have their own thoughts on the benefits and need for translation of humanist texts. President of the Humanist Society Singapore, Tattsi Tan, had this to say, “It is easy to forget, which is why reminders are important. In this hustle & bustle world where Asia is the engine of economic growth, we forget many ancient and proud civilizations of the east rose to recent prominence through circumstances of geo-politics and not genuine good governance. To be reminded of this reality and gap, the Amsterdam Declaration’s focus on humanity needs to be first hand to the people, and therefore be in the people’s first language.
Executive Director of Humanist Association Philippines, International, Jennifer C. Gutierez highlighted how the translation will help humanists connect with those they are trying to help, “As a humanist compelled to improving human condition, we knew that our natural compassion transcends to the heart of those we reach out. Those in the dark times and in peril, those in dire needs of stronger and capable human beings to uplift their conditions are often clueless of our philosophy, our way of life. Sometimes, the compassion is always linked to a religion or much worse, to just for compliance with a required appearance. I believe that we need to translate humanist texts to local languages, as we touch and create a difference in other people’s lives or society, they can at least get to know who we are and where are we coming from. On instances that we are asked where or what group do we belong, we can have the advantage of clearly defining this once these texts are translated. Also, It is on this way that we can open them to a new different view and perspective that being good is not always linked to a god or religion, being good is a basic human instinct in every humanists, those who work without the thought of rewards after life but those who care for humanity because of real human compassion.”
Chairperson of the Asian Working Group Translation Subcomittee and member of Filipino Freethinkers, Kevin Enriquez, had this to say about the challenges and opportunities of undertaking this project, “It may sound simple, but translating something like the Amsterdam Declaration is surprisingly a challenge. The principles behind it may be universal, but you’ll quickly find that a lot of languages lack concepts to directly translate them in a way more easily understandable by people using those languages. But that’s all the more reason to translate something as central as the declaration into more languages. The more we can help people understand, the faster and better we can reach people and help things progress.“
Asian Working Group Chairperson, Wade Kaardal, said on the translations, “Humanism has a language problem. Most works on Humanism are in English. This can be an issue, especially when you are trying to explain Humanism in your second language and have nothing to refer to. By translating the Amsterdam Declaration into different languages, we are allowing people to engage with Humanist values and principles in the language they are most familiar with.”
The working group says that this is only the beginning of their translation efforts. Now that a Traditional Chinese translation has been completed, a Simplified Chinese translation can be completed quickly. Japanese and Bisaya are the next two languages the group is considering, but all major languages in Asia, especially those spoken in countries with IHEYO and IHEU member groups, are possible candidates for translation.
If you can help with our the Asian Working Groups translation efforts, please e-mail asia@iheyo.org. You can also get involved with IHEU efforts to translate the Amsterdam Declaration into other world languages by contacting comms@iheu.org.
