Preserving language, culture: Poetry recitation celebrates Google Pashto translator tool

Poets gather at Jandola in FR Tank, express excitement at globalisation of their language

DI KHAN: A literary society arranged a recitation to celebrate the launch of Google Pashto translator in the main bazaar of Jandola, Frontier Region Tank on Monday.

The Bet Nika Pashto Adabi Tolana arranged the mushaira where a large number of Pashto poets gathered to recite poems and celebrate the global recognition of their language.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Abdullah Nangyal Bittani, a participant, said the fact that the translator was created said a lot about the international recognition of the language.

Dr Ahmad Jan Ahmad who had founded Bet Nika Pashto Adabi Tolana in 1980, said, “We are happy about Google’s Pashto initiative as now we can be sure our thoughts reflected in Pashto literature and poetry will reach the world.”

One of the brief verses that he recited at the event highlights the significance of Pashto and explains the zeal with which participants celebrated Google’s new toolbar.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2016.