Translations Needed At Gurdwaras

[harsimran kaur]

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh!

Not even a single Gurdwara i've visited has had katha or announcements in english or whatever the local language happens to be. Shouldn't there be someone who would translate it to the people who don't know punjabi? It would be important for both sikhs of other than punjabi backround and sikhs who've been born into punjabi families but haven't learned enough punjabi to understand everything. It would also make non-punjabi people feel much more welcome to the sikh community. Based on what i've read the 3ho seem to be doing good job with all this, but it should also happen in the punjabi run Gurdwaras.

Personally, i think it's frustrating to sit and listen with glimpses of understanding a word here and there, with good luck even some short phrase, but still deprived of the message the speaker is trying to get across, while knowing it might very well be something interesting and important. Especially when the solution would be simply to have someone doing the seva of translating it for the sangat.

It must be already happening at many Gurdwaras, but i've never witnessed it, so i thought it would be important to bring up this topic. It should be every person's right in the sangat to get the knowledge of what is being said.

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa, Vaheguru ji ki Fateh!

[tarunjeet singh]

You are right there shoudl be more doen in local Gurdwara's but this comes down to the youth, its only when they make the effrot that these things will start happening.

[citizen_soulja]

It is imperative now more than ever that we learn our MAH BOLI namely Punjabi and Gurmukhi Lipi our Gurus created Punjabi and Gurmuki Lipi for us to relate to Vaheguroo. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj exists in Gurmukhi for a reason!!

The poetic beauty the deep meaning the absolutely astounding philosophy can be lost and distorted with translation.

Bibi Ji learn Punjabi, read and understand Gurbani make the effort!! Then teach others, lets preserve our heritage and history for ourselves and future generations.

Translations are ok but should only serve as a guide not as a substitute.

[harsimran kaur]

It is imperative now more than ever that we learn our MAH BOLI namely Punjabi and Gurmukhi Lipi our Gurus created Punjabi and Gurmuki Lipi for us to relate to Vaheguroo. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj exists in Gurmukhi for a reason!!

The poetic beauty the deep meaning the absolutely astounding philosophy can be lost and distorted with translation.

Bibi Ji learn Punjabi, read and understand Gurbani make the effort!! Then teach others, lets preserve our heritage and history for ourselves and future generations.

Translations are ok but should only serve as a guide not as a substitute.

I completely agree that all sikhs should know Gurmukhi and be able to read Gurbani. (btw i can read Gurmukhi, i just don't know so much spoken punjabi because i have rather put the effort to learn the language used in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji)

Anyway, what i meant was that not all sikhs can be expected to speak punjabi, especially those who aren't from punjabi families. And it's unfair if everything at Gurdwaras happens in punjabi only.

[rupinder singh]

It is imperative now more than ever that we learn our MAH BOLI namely Punjabi and Gurmukhi Lipi our Gurus created Punjabi and Gurmuki Lipi for us to relate to Vaheguroo. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj exists in Gurmukhi for a reason!!

The poetic beauty the deep meaning the absolutely astounding philosophy can be lost and distorted with translation.

Bibi Ji learn Punjabi, read and understand Gurbani make the effort!! Then teach others, lets preserve our heritage and history for ourselves and future generations.

Translations are ok but should only serve as a guide not as a substitute.

Citizen Sahib,

Just because your Gurmukhi – Gurbani knowledge is strong, it doesn’t mean that many many others are in the same situation. Needless to say that lack of translations can act as a barrier to the many. For many, Punjabi is not a mah-boli but more of a dhadi-boli, there’s no denying that the spoken Punjabi is more and more dilute each time a generation is born. We can’t escape this and putting on the bold font “make more of an effort” attitude will not help those distance souls trying to find their way into Sikhi jeevan.

The strong swimmers need to help the weaker swimmers. It may mean making use of new technologies, techniques and languages not used during purtaan times, that does not mean it’s an attack on marayada or a dilution of Sikhi. Our history and heritage will be preserved forever and will be reflected through the dynamic Khalsa Jeevan.

[citizen_soulja]

I totally agree with you guys,

what im trying to say is that we need to make a conscious effort to learn Punjabi, we cant replace Punjabi with english translations, we should only use translations as a guide.

The real explanation of Gurbani is in Kathaa.

Wherever we go Punjabi will always be our MAH BOLI.

We have to make more effort, all of us, to help everyone.

The issue of Punjabi dying out isn't just prevalent in western countries, its more of an issue in Punjab. Punjab is being attacked. Our language is being attacked. Punjabi might be dying in the west but in the east Punjabi is being killed.

As i said WE as in each and every one of us has to make the effort to seek out and harass Gianis, older Singhs and Singhniaa to teach us Punjabi, give us Santhia so we can be in a position to do the same for future generations......

[citizen_soulja]

Finland Bibi Ji

Forgive me! I just realised your location and that has shed further light on your situation.

I am taking for granted a technology that has been used in Gurudwarerh in the UK/US for ages!!

Sikhi To The Max!!!!!!!!!!!!

the website is:

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/

it is a free software created by Gurmukh Piareh the web site has full instructions on how to download and install and how to use the software. All you need is a screen (or big white wall) and a projector oh and also a computer/laptop.

Sadly some of the translations are not accurate, but you are free to add to and change the existing translations.

Hope that helps you.

Once again sorry for coming on so preachy, but the issues i raised are serious ones.

remember:

Translations are ok but should only serve as a guide not as a substitute. The real explanation of Gurbani is in Kathaa!