From a very young age, I have been grateful for translation and translators. In my childhood, my acquaintance with world literature was only possible through translations from other languages into Urdu, and for the past several years, I myself have been engaged in  this work. Translation holds a distinctive and unique place in the development of language. This is because, in addition to its apparent and primary purpose – introducing literature written or spoken in one language to another language and its speakers – it  also acquaints new readers and listeners with fresh ideas brought in through texts  from foreign languages and cultures. Often, in order to make room for such new ideas in the local language, translation becomes a means of expanding that language’s expressive range. . Not only does it serve as a cultural bridge between two languages and their speakers, but also contributes to the enrichment of the language itself.

‘Avaaz’ is a new column published by Lakeer, in which the literary works of contemporary and modern writers from different languages of the world will be translated into the languages of Pakistan. My effort and wish is that, as far as possible, this column should focus not on the major languages, but rather on those whose literature our communities have fewer opportunities to encounter. And, as far as possible, directly from the source language, without using English as an intermediary.