Beyond Borders: Why Young People Should Read Translated Literature

By Maung Maung Myint Thein (RIT)

IN AN increasingly intercon­nected world, translation is more than the conversion of words from one language into another. It is a bridge between cultures, civilizations, and gener­ations. Through translation, read­ers gain access to the ideas, phi­losophies, histories, and artistic achievements of peoples beyond their own linguistic boundaries. For young people in particular, translated literature provides a gateway to global knowledge while strengthening intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and cultural understanding.

Translation is the art of con­veying the meaning, tone, and purpose of a text from its origi­nal language into another without losing its essence. It requires not only linguistic competence but also cultural sensitivity, literary judgment, and creative expres­sion. Because no two languages are perfectly equivalent, trans­lators must carefully balance ac­curacy with readability, ensuring that the translated work feels both faithful to the original and natural to its new audience.

The tradition of translation dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greek concept of metaphrasis emphasized faith­ful translation, while paraphrasis encouraged freer interpretation. Across Asia, particularly in India and China, translation played a vital role in the spread of religious texts, philosophical thought, and administrative knowledge. Bud­dhist scriptures, for example, travelled across linguistic and cultural borders through gener­ations of dedicated translators, shaping civilizations far beyond their places of origin.

Myanmar has its own distin­guished tradition of translation. Evidence of multilingual scholar­ship can be traced to the Bagan era, while earlier Pyu civilizations are believed to have translated texts from Sanskrit and Pali. The celebrated Myazedi Inscription, commissioned by Prince Rajku­mar, stands as one of the world’s earliest examples of multilingual translation, presenting the same text in Burmese, Mon, Pyu, and Pali.

During the Konbaung Dynas­ty, increasing contact with Britain and France expanded the scope of translation from European languages into Burmese. Under the British education system, numerous academic works were translated for local students. Be­tween the 1920s and the 1940s, books on anti-colonial struggles and international political move­ments introduced Myanmar readers to ideas that influenced the country’s own independence movement.

Following the Second World War, the translation of world clas­sics accelerated significantly. A landmark moment came in 1947, when General Aung San called for the advancement of knowledge through translation. His vision inspired the establishment of the Burma Translation Society on 26 August 1947. The Society sought to translate important works into Burmese while introducing My­anmar literature to international readers through foreign-language translations. Its mission reflect­ed the belief that translation is essential to national education, cultural development, and intel­lectual progress.

For any nation, translation is not merely a literary pursuit but an investment in human de­velopment. It enables societies to exchange knowledge, share cultural values, and participate in global intellectual life. As trans­lation flourishes, so too does a nation’s capacity for innovation, education, and cultural dialogue.

Young readers stand to bene­fit enormously from translated lit­erature. World classics introduce them to different civilizations while encouraging empathy, re­flection, and intellectual maturity.

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prej­udice, beautifully translated into Burmese by the distinguished writer Tint Te, offers timeless insights into social class, per­sonal integrity, and human rela­tionships. Through such works, Burmese readers gain an under­standing of nineteenth-century British society while recognizing universal human values that tran­scend time and geography.

Charles Dickens’ Great Ex­pectations, translated into Bur­mese under the title Myaw Ta Lin Lin by Shwe U Daung and later by Maung Htun Thu, follows the moral and emotional journey of the young protagonist Pip. Be­yond its compelling narrative, the novel enriches readers’ vocabu­lary, deepens their appreciation of literary style, and explores themes of ambition, humility, and personal growth.

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, translated into Burmese as Lay Htan Kone by Min Kyaw, presents one of English litera­ture’s most powerful explorations of love, obsession, revenge, and human psychology. The novel demonstrates the enduring com­plexity of human emotions while exposing readers to sophisticated literary expression.

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth remains one of the greatest studies of ambition, guilt, and political power. Long includ­ed in higher education curricu­la, its Burmese translation has enabled generations of students to appreciate Shakespeare’s pro­found understanding of human nature without language becom­ing a barrier.

Young readers interested in history and politics should also explore Leo Tolstoy’s monumen­tal War and Peace, masterfully translated into Burmese by the renowned scholar Mya Than Tint, who received the National Liter­ary Award for his translation in 1972. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, the novel examines leadership, war, moral­ity, and the resilience of ordinary people amid extraordinary his­torical events.

For readers seeking philo­sophical depth, Fyodor Dostoev­sky’s The Brothers Karamazov, translated by Nat Nwe, offers profound reflections on morality, faith, justice, and human respon­sibility. Its intellectual richness challenges readers to think criti­cally about ethical dilemmas and the complexities of the human condition.

Translated literature is not limited to fiction. Non-fiction works also play a transformative role in shaping young minds. U Nu’s translation of Mittabala Tika remains an important con­tribution to Burmese intellectual life. Likewise, Dale Carnegie’s internationally acclaimed How to Win Friends and Influence People has introduced millions of readers worldwide to practical principles of communication, leadership, and interpersonal relationships. The book encourages readers to avoid unnecessary criticism, express sincere appreciation, inspire others through genuine interest, and cultivate habits that strengthen both personal and pro­fessional success.

Among translated novels, one particularly remarkable work is A J Cronin’s The Citadel, trans­lated into Burmese by Maung Htun Thu, which won the My­anmar National Literary Award for Translation in 1983. Drawing on Cronin’s own experience as a physician, the novel explores medical ethics, professional integ­rity, social reform, and the conflict between idealism and material­ism. More than a medical novel, it is a compelling examination of human character and moral responsibility.

The enduring value of trans­lated literature lies in its ability to broaden perspectives while nur­turing emotional intelligence and ethical awareness. Through un­forgettable characters and richly imagined worlds, young readers develop empathy, resilience, and the capacity to understand lives different from their own.

Classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, and Jane Eyre teach lessons about personal character, re­sponsibility, ambition, love, and integrity. They reveal how social structures, moral choices, and individual determination shape human destiny. American clas­sics, including The Old Man and the Sea, The Grapes of Wrath, and Invisible Man, likewise encourage perseverance, courage, justice, and self-discovery while offering insights into the social and histori­cal experiences of another nation.

For today’s generation, trans­lated literature is far more than entertainment. It expands intel­lectual horizons, strengthens crit­ical thinking, encourages cultural appreciation, and inspires lifelong learning. In an era defined by globalization, young people who engage with translated works are better equipped to understand both their own heritage and the wider world.

A nation that invests in trans­lation invests in its future. By en­couraging young people to read translated literature, Myanmar can cultivate informed citizens, thoughtful leaders, and globally minded individuals who are pre­pared to contribute meaningfully to both national development and international understanding.