Translation Activity Worksheet - Using Gen AI for Translating Poems

 Translation Activity Worksheet - Using Gen AI for Translating Poems

Original poem in Urdu language by Faiz Ahmed, Click Here.

English Translation :-

ChatGPT :-

Do not ask me, my love, for the love I once gave you,

I had thought, if I had you, life would forever shine through.

If your sorrow is mine, what worth is the world’s pain?

Your beauty’s presence alone gives spring its refrain.

Beyond your eyes, what does this world truly hold?

If I have you, even fate would its power withhold.

It was not so, I had only wished it would be,

That all of life’s miseries would vanish if you were with me.

There are sorrows in the world beyond love's own despair,

There are comforts greater than union’s pleasure so rare.

For countless dark centuries, vile magic has prevailed,

Bodies draped in silks, yet their humanity curtailed.

In markets and streets, sold and resold as mere things,

Bodies sullied in mud, soaked in the blood it brings.

From furnaces of disease, such forms emerge,

Pus oozes, wounds rot—a painful dirge.

My gaze still turns back to that radiant sight of you,

Your beauty captivates, but what can I do?

There are sorrows in the world beyond love's own despair,

There are comforts greater than union’s pleasure so rare.

Do not ask me, my love, for the love I once gave you.

Hindi Translation :-

ChatGPT :-

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत, मेरी महबूब, न मांग,

मैंने समझा था कि तू है तो ज़िंदगी चमकेगी हर एक रंग।

तेरा ग़म हो तो ज़माने के ग़म का झगड़ा ही क्या,

तेरी सूरत से ही बहारों को जहां में ठहराव मिला।

तेरी आँखों के सिवा इस दुनिया में रखा ही क्या है,

तू जो मिल जाए तो किस्मत भी झुक जाएगी, क्या ख़्वाब है!

ऐसा न था, मैंने बस चाहा था कि ऐसा हो,

कि तुझसे मिलकर हर दर्द, हर जख्म कहीं खो जाए।

मगर, और भी ग़म हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा,

और भी राहतें हैं मिलन की राहत के सिवा।

अनगिनत सदियों के अंधकार भरे जादू,

रेशम, एटलस और सुनहरी धागों में गुँथे हुए बदन।

बाजार और गलियों में हर ओर बिकते हुए,

गारे में लथपथ, लहू से सने हुए।

बीमारी की भट्टियों से निकले हुए ये जिस्म,

मवाद टपकाते, सड़ते हुए ज़ख्म।

नज़र लौट जाती है फिर उधर, क्यूँकि क्या करें,

अब भी दिलकश है तेरा हुस्न, मगर क्या करें।

मगर, और भी ग़म हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा,

और भी राहतें हैं मिलन की राहत के सिवा।

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत, मेरी महबूब, न मांग।

Hindi Translation :-

Gemini :-

मैंने समझा था कि तू है तो जग चमक उठा

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब ना माँग

मैंने समझा था कि तू है तो जग चमक उठा

तेरा ग़म है तो ग़म-ए-दुनिया का झगड़ा क्या है

तेरी सूरत से है आलम में बहारों को ثبات

तेरी आँखों के सिवा दुनिया में रखा क्या है

तू जो मिल जाए तो तक़दीर नगों हो जाए

यूँ न था मैंने फ़क़त चाहा था यूँ हो जाए

और भी दुःख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा

राहतें और भी हैं वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

अनगिनत सदियों के तारिक बहीमाना तलसम

रेशम ओ अतलस ओ कमख़ाब में बनाए हुए

जा ब जा बिकते हुए कोचे ओ बाज़ार में जस्म

ख़ाक में लथड़ हुए ख़ून में नहलाए हुए

जस्म निकले हुए अमراض के तनूरों से

पीप बहती हुई गलते हुए नासूरों से

लौट जाती है इधर को भी नज़र क्या कीजिए

अब भी दिलकश है तेरा हुस्न मगर क्या कीजिए

और भी दुःख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा

राहतें और भी हैं वस्ल की राहत के सिवा

मुझसे पहली सी मोहब्बत मेरी महबूब ना माँग

English Translation :-

Gemini :-

"Do Not Ask for My First Love, My Beloved"

Do not ask for my first love, my beloved

I thought that with you, the world would shine bright

If you are sad, then what is the world’s sorrow?

Your beauty gives permanence to the spring

Except for your eyes, what is there to keep in the world?

If I were to get you, my fate would be ruined

It wasn’t that I just wanted it to be this way

There are other sorrows in the world besides love

There are other comforts besides the comfort of union

Countless dark, bestial spells of centuries

Made of silk, satin, and brocade

Bodies sold everywhere in streets and markets

Covered in dust, bathed in blood

Bodies emerging from the ovens of diseases

Pus oozing from rotting ulcers

Even here, the gaze returns, what can be done?

Your beauty is still enchanting, but what can be done?

There are other sorrows in the world besides love

There are other comforts besides the comfort of union

Do not ask for my first love, my beloved

Analysis :-

1) Identify and Discuss :-

Which parts of the poem were challenging to translate? Why? 

From ChatGPT :-

Translating Faiz Ahmed Faiz's "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat" presented significant challenges due to its cultural richness, emotional depth, and poetic structure. The poem moves seamlessly from a personal lament of love to a scathing critique of societal exploitation, requiring careful attention to tone and meaning. Metaphors like “ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب میں بنوائے ہوئے” (silk, atlas, and brocade-draped bodies) evoke layered imagery tied to South Asian history and culture, which are difficult to convey without losing their poetic and symbolic resonance. Similarly, visceral phrases such as “پیپ بہتی ہوئی گلتے ہوئے ناسوروں سے” (pus oozing, festering wounds) pose challenges in translation, as they risk sounding overly clinical in English or too harsh in Hindi without careful rephrasing.

The poem’s transition from personal emotions to political critique adds complexity. Lines like “اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا” (There are sorrows in the world beyond love’s own despair) require nuanced word choices to retain their emotional weight and broader implications. Maintaining the original’s rhyme and rhythm, particularly in English, was challenging due to differences in syntax and phonetics, while ensuring the cultural and symbolic connotations were not diluted. 

English’s syntax and phonetics differ significantly from Urdu, making it hard to preserve both metre and meaning. In Hindi, the structure was easier to emulate but still required compromises to maintain the poetic essence. Translating such lines required making interpretative choices, risking oversimplification or loss of depth. Balancing this interplay without losing the intensity of either theme was crucial but complex in both English and Hindi translations.

From Gemini :-

Translating this Urdu poem into Hindi and English presented several challenges. Firstly, preserving the intricate rhyme scheme and meter while capturing the nuances of the original language was difficult. Secondly, conveying culturally specific concepts like "بहीماना طلسم" (bheemaana talasam) – a dark, monstrous spell – required finding equivalent expressions that evoke the same sense of dread. Finally, translating the vivid imagery and emotional depth of the poem, particularly the imagery of "امراض کے تنوروں سے" (amraad ke tanuroon se) – bodies emerging from ovens of diseases – while maintaining its impact in the target languages posed a significant hurdle. These challenges underscore the complexities of translating poetry across languages with distinct poetic traditions and cultural contexts.

How were cultural connotations and collocations handled in the translation? 

From ChatGPT :-

Cultural connotations and collocations in translating Faiz Ahmed Faiz's "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat" were handled with care to preserve the poem's essence. Symbols like “ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب” (silk, atlas, and brocade) were retained to evoke their association with luxury and exploitation in South Asian contexts, while ensuring they resonated universally. Phrases such as “خاک میں لتھڑے ہوئے خون میں نہلائے ہوئے” (smeared in mud, soaked in blood) were translated to maintain their stark realism and emotional impact without overly exoticizing or diluting their meaning.

Collocations were adapted to balance fidelity to the original and the poetic flow of the target language. For instance, “تیری آنکھوں کے سوا” (beyond your eyes) was translated to retain its lyrical tone and existential depth. In English, adjustments ensured clarity while preserving cultural richness, whereas in Hindi, linguistic proximity allowed for a more direct transference. Ultimately, the translation sought to convey the layered symbolism, emotional intensity, and universal themes of love and societal critique in Faiz's work.

From Gemini :-

The translation of the Urdu poem into Hindi and English presented challenges in handling cultural connotations and collocations. The phrase "ب!ही) ما (ना) طلسم" (bheemaana talasam), which carries a specific cultural connotation of a dark, monstrous spell, was particularly difficult to translate. Finding equivalent expressions in Hindi and English that captured the same sense of dread and evil while maintaining the poetic flow was crucial. Additionally, the imagery of "امراض کے تنوروں سے" (amraad ke tanuroon se) – bodies emerging from ovens of diseases – required careful translation to convey the same visceral impact and cultural associations in the target languages. The translator had to strike a balance between maintaining cultural authenticity and ensuring that the translated versions resonated with the target audience.

Were there untranslatable words or phrases? If yes, how did the AI tools resolve them?

From ChatGPT :-

Yes, some words and phrases in Faiz Ahmed Faiz's "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat" were challenging to translate due to their deeply rooted cultural and linguistic nuances. Words like “ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب” (silk, atlas, and brocade) and “پیپ بہتی ہوئی گلتے ہوئے ناسور” (pus oozing from festering wounds) carry both literal meanings and metaphorical weight, making them difficult to fully convey in another language.  

The AI resolved these by prioritizing the emotional and symbolic essence of the terms over literal translations. For instance, “ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب” was rendered as “silk, atlas, and brocade-draped bodies,” capturing the imagery of luxury and exploitation. Similarly, “گلتے ہوئے ناسور” was translated as “festering wounds” to preserve the visceral impact while avoiding overly clinical phrasing. Where direct translation risked losing meaning, interpretative choices were made to maintain the poem's poetic flow and thematic depth.

From Gemini :-

Yes, there were likely untranslatable words or phrases in the Urdu poem. Some words or phrases may have deep cultural or historical roots that are difficult to fully capture in other languages. 

AI tools can assist in such situations by:

Providing contextual information: AI can analyze the surrounding text and provide context clues about the meaning of the untranslatable word or phrase.

Suggesting alternative words or phrases: Based on the context, AI can suggest alternative words or phrases in the target language that convey a similar meaning or evoke a similar emotional response.

Identifying cultural equivalents: AI can help identify cultural equivalents in the target language that may not be direct translations but convey a similar cultural concept.

However, it's important to remember that AI tools cannot perfectly replicate the nuances and cultural depth of the original language. Ultimately, human translators with a deep understanding of both languages and cultures are essential for achieving the most accurate and nuanced translations.

2) Explain the choices and considerations made during translation :-

Did the metre or rhyme scheme influence the translation?  

ChatGPT :-

Yes, the metre and rhyme scheme of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat" significantly influenced the translation. The original Urdu poem is rich in musicality and rhythm, with a natural flow that enhances its emotional depth and lyrical beauty. In translation, efforts were made to preserve this rhythmic quality, particularly in Hindi, where the linguistic structure aligns more closely with Urdu. This allowed for a smoother retention of the rhyme and metre.

In English, preserving the exact rhyme scheme was more challenging due to differences in syntax and phonetics. Instead, the focus was on maintaining a balanced rhythm and the poetic essence, even if the rhyme was adapted or loosened. Key phrases were restructured to preserve their emotional cadence, ensuring the translation resonated with the same lyrical and thematic intensity as the original. While some compromises were necessary, the translation aimed to evoke the musicality and poetic flow integral to Faiz’s work.

Gemini :-

Yes, the meter and rhyme scheme significantly influenced the translation of the Urdu poem. Preserving these elements was a major challenge, as different languages have different phonetic structures and poetic conventions. The translator had to carefully choose words and adjust the sentence structure to maintain the original rhythm and rhyme scheme while conveying the meaning and emotional impact of the poem. This often involved creative wordplay and a deep understanding of both the source and target languages.

Were any liberties taken to retain the poem's tone and emotion?

ChatGPT :-

Yes, certain liberties were taken in the translation of "Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat" to retain its tone and emotional depth. While staying true to the original meaning, some phrases were rephrased or slightly adapted to convey the same intensity and lyrical beauty in the target language. For instance, “ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب” was translated as “silk, atlas, and brocade-draped bodies,” emphasizing the juxtaposition of luxury and exploitation in a way that resonates with non-Urdu audiences.

Similarly, visceral imagery like “پیپ بہتی ہوئی گلتے ہوئے ناسور” (pus oozing from festering wounds) was rendered with careful word choice to maintain its stark emotional impact without sounding overly harsh or clinical. In some cases, the structure was adjusted to preserve the flow and rhythm, particularly in English, where the rhyme scheme couldn’t always be replicated. These liberties ensured the translation remained evocative and faithful to the poem’s revolutionary tone and emotional core.

Gemini :-

Yes, some liberties were likely taken to retain the poem's tone and emotion. Translating poetry involves a delicate balance between accuracy and artistic interpretation. To effectively convey the original poem's emotional impact and tone in Hindi and English, the translator may have:

Used creative paraphrasing: In some cases, a direct word-for-word translation might not capture the full emotional weight or poetic beauty of the original. Creative paraphrasing can help convey the underlying meaning and evoke similar emotions in the target language.

Employed stylistic devices: The translator might have used stylistic devices like metaphors, similes, and alliteration in the target languages to enhance the emotional impact and create a similar poetic effect.

Adjusted the word order: In some instances, adjusting the word order in the target language may be necessary to maintain the flow, rhythm, and emotional impact of the poem.

These liberties, while necessary to achieve a successful translation, must be taken with care to ensure that the core meaning and emotional impact of the original poem are preserved.

3) Compare the translations :-

Highlight differences between ChatGPT and Gemini outputs.

After getting results from both AI tools, ChatGPT and Gemini, I found more similarities between the results that both AI tools provided. But in which I can observe that both AI tools make their own meaning of understanding, and by their perspectives, it gives the results. Both AI tools are much more sure about the information they provide and work quite well on the translations and convey the meaning of various questions and prompts. AI tools translate the poem very well into other languages, but we can see that the major problem is that it can't describe the authenticity of the poem and its realistic emotions and feelings. Somewhere the AI lost the power of the structure of the poem and also the accurate meaning of some words.

Evaluate which tool performed better in retaining key aspects of the original poem.

According to some major observations, based on that, ChatGPT is the most preferable, and it performed better in retaining key aspects of the original poem. ChatGPT might be closer to the meaning of the original poem, and it gave the preferred result to the translated version of the poem. It was quite satisfying to see the powerful AI tools translate the poem in any language into our language. The Hindi translation of the original Urdu poem is performed better in retaining key aspects of the original poem. Its closeness to Urdu in terms of language and culture, which makes it possible to communicate tone, metaphors, and rhythm more directly.

4) Reflect on the theoretical frameworks discussed in class :-

How do Jakobson’s, Catford’s, Devy’s, and Ramanujan’s ideas about translation apply to your findings?

Given that some compromises were made in order to maintain the poem's emotional tone, the translation results are consistent with Jakobson's theory of equivalency in meaning over form. The adaptation of cultural connotations and grammar, particularly in English, to preserve clarity and poetic flow is a clear example of Catford's notion of shifts. Devy's focus on cultural translation emphasises how crucial it is to preserve South Asian metaphors and symbols in order to portray the spirit of Faiz's writing. By striking a balance between faithfulness to the source material and innovative adaptations to accommodate the linguistic and cultural quirks of Hindi and English, Ramanujan's idea of translation as an act of recreation is expressed.

Discussion Topics :-

Can AI truly capture the essence of poetry across languages? 

Poetry's general topics, feelings, and visuals can be captured by AI in a variety of languages, but capturing its essence completely is still difficult. Poetry frequently makes use of nuanced symbolism, linguistic complexities, and cultural quirks that are closely related to the original language and setting. AI struggles with the subjective, experiential, and metaphysical aspects that distinguish poetry, even though it can retain meaning and rhythm to a certain degree. In order to identify and recreate the intangible emotions and cultural undercurrents that AI might miss, true artistic essence frequently necessitates human sensitivity.

How do cultural nuances shape the challenges in translation? 

By introducing layers of meaning that are intricately linked to the background, culture, and values of the source language, cultural nuances greatly influence the difficulties in translating. Metaphors, symbols, and idiomatic idioms that originate in one culture could not have exact equivalents in another, which could cause meaning to be lost or distorted. For instance, a metaphor derived from regional customs or folklore could have great cultural resonance yet appear obscure or less powerful when translated.

Language-specific interpretations of cultural taboos, humour, or emotional expressions may differ, necessitating careful adaptation to preserve the original meaning and tone. To ensure that the translation stays true to the emotional and thematic depth of the original text, these subtleties require not only linguistic proficiency but also a thorough comprehension of both cultures.

What does this activity reveal about the limitations and possibilities of AI in literary translation?

This exercise demonstrates AI's potential and constraints in literary translation. On the one hand, AI is capable of effectively translating a poem's essential content, broad themes, and overall tone between languages. It shows promise in managing language structures and ensuring that translations are understandable to a wide range of users. The nuances of wordplay, multi-layered symbolism, and the distinct emotional resonance that literature frequently evokes are difficult for AI to replicate. AI can help with translation, but it cannot completely replace a human translator's creative and interpretive skills, particularly when handling the complex nuances of literary works.

To sum up, this exercise shows that although AI is capable of handling the technical facets of literary translation, it struggles to adequately convey the complex symbolism, emotional nuance, and cultural quirks present in poetry. The nuances of literary translation still require human insight to maintain the spirit and poetic beauty of the original work, even though AI can offer a helpful starting point.