The Bridge Across Worlds: Role of Translation in Preserving Indigenous Indian Literature

Abstract

This paper examines the critical role of translation in preserving and revitalizing indigenous literary traditions in India. Set against the backdrop of rapid linguistic endangerment and cultural homogenization, this study interrogates how translation functions not merely as linguistic conversion but as a complex cultural negotiation that both preserves and transforms indigenous literatures. Through theoretical analysis and illustrative case studies focusing on Santali, Gondi, and Munda literary traditions, this investigation reveals the multifaceted dimensions of translation as preservation: linguistic archiving, cultural mediation, and political advocacy. The findings indicate that while translation offers vital pathways for the survival and circulation of indigenous literary expressions, it simultaneously introduces tensions regarding authenticity, power dynamics, and representational ethics. This research contributes to ongoing scholarly discourse on translation as a decolonial practice and advocates for collaborative translation methodologies that center indigenous agency and epistemologies in the preservation process.