Translation gives my stories a new voice beyond language barriers, says writer and MP Salma

The art of writing lies in creation while translation gives it a new voice in another language, said Tamil writer and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Salma on Thursday.

Ms. Salma was in conversation with journalist and translator Kavitha Muralitharan at The Hindu office in Chennai.

Talking about the difficulties of translation, Ms. Salma said that Tamil’s unique sounds, idioms, and dialects pose a challenge to any translator.  “Some cultural elements and metaphorical speech do not easily translate,” she said. Despite this, she believed that readers worldwide connect with the essence of her stories, which often explore the lives and struggles of Muslim women, a perspective rarely represented in mainstream literature.

Ms. Salma faced criticism and had fear after her early works, which spoke about a woman’s desire, were published, especially from conservative groups within her community. Yet, she believed that the translation of her books into Malayalam, English, and other languages helped offer a broader audience the opportunity to engage with her voice.

Central to Ms. Salma’s experience as a writer is the complex relationship between writing and translation. “Translation is not merely transferring words from one language to another,” she said. “Each translator brings his or her own feelings and understanding. So, every version has its own voice. It also depends on their command of language.”

“As an author, I can hear my voice in translations. Yet, translators must become writers themselves in the process — they often work even harder. Their individuality, emotions, and mastery of language deeply shape the final work,” she said.

Despite facing strong opposition and criticism within conservative circles for her debut novel Irandaam Jaamangalin Kadhai, the second English translation, which is out now as The Dark Hours of the Night, Ms. Salma said the fear she initially felt at publishing her first novel gradually faded as translations extended her reach, allowing her voice to resonate beyond Tamil Nadu.

Ms. Salma is working on a sequel to Irandaam Jaamangalin Kadhai and has some novellas ready.

(This conversation was held as part of  The Hindu’s Out of Print series with writers)