StoryWeaver is an open source digital platform from Pratham Books on which stories can be read, downloaded, translated, versioned or printed. All the content on StoryWeaver is available under Creative Commons licenses to encourage collaboration and reuse.
Q: What do you usually read? Which language do you prefer to read in?
A: I usually read in English and Marathi. I prefer to read English non-fiction.
Q: Do you have a favourite book / author and why is it a favourite?
A: My favourite book is 'Man’s Search for Meaning’ by Viktor Frankel. And why? Well, the name is self explanatory ☺
Q: You have contributed for us immensely. How has the StoryWeaver journey been?
A: StoryWeaver was an exciting experience for me. Being from the software field, writing for CMS based business websites was a routine thing for me. But translating & reviewing fiction for a digital platform and seeing it ‘going live’ in a moment was very exciting.
Q: What is one big take away from this experience?
A: My take away from this experience is that digital platforms are quite flexible (and quite forgiving, unlike print media). I learnt a lot about localizing the content while translating content from Indian cultures, other than my own. Once, I found nouns in one language were taboo words in another!
Q: How does it feel when your story gets published online?
A: Initially it feels different than print for sure. There is no wafting ‘fragrance’ of paper and ink, like in paper books. It took me a while to get used to the book ‘getting published’ at a click of a button on the digital platform.
Q: You have translated / reviewed a handful of stories for us. Which one has been your favourite and why?
A: My favourite is How Do Aeroplanes Fly? / विमानं उडतात तरी कशी? This book is not just about the science behind flying the aeroplanes, but also underlines the fact that women can do everything, and gender is not a hurdle if one wants to break the social barriers.
Q: What is your key driver in taking this up?
A: Like most Indian languages, Marathi too lacks quality content for young readers, especially in STEM topics. So I felt the need to do my bit.
Q: How else do you think we can join hands in taking bigger steps for children’s literature?
A: We can translate German books in Marathi and other Indian languages, and that too in our cultural context. I would love to help on that front. Also, I would love to help in conducting workshops for budding translators and teachers aiding the translations of StoryWeaver content.
Q: How has the overall experience with SW been?
A: The StoryWeaver experience was very rewarding. I got immense satisfaction while translating world-class books in my own language.
स्टोरीविव्हरवर वेगवेगळ्या कथा व पुस्तके अनुवादित करणं हा एक अनोखा अनुभव होता. जागतिक दर्जाची, सुंदर सुंदर चित्रं असलेली पुस्तकं स्वत:च्या मातृभाषेत आणतानाचा आनंद काही औरच!
Wow, that was great. More about it when we perhaps meet for "coffee with Shuchita'?"
Wow, that was great. More about it when we perhaps meet for "coffee with Shuchita'?"