TV
The Institute of Odia Studies & Research (IOSR) in Bhubaneswar has introduced a comprehensive glossary of nearly 54,000 technical terms translated into Odia, designed to support engineering education in the regional language.
This pioneering initiative, reportedly the first of its kind in any Indian regional language, has recently received approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
According to Subrat Prusty, Odia researcher and lead coordinator of the project, many engineering terms—originating from English, German, French, and Latin—do not have standard equivalents in Odia.
To maintain clarity and consistency, the glossary retains many specialised terms in their original English form. For example, the word "computer" appears identically in both languages, ensuring precise usage across technical texts.
The IOSR has successfully translated and published first-year engineering textbooks into Odia. These include 36 B.Tech and 33 diploma texts, which are being provided free of charge to engineering colleges in Odisha. Students who have not yet received their copies can collect them from the IOSR office.
Translation efforts are ongoing for subsequent years:
Second-year texts: Out of 70 books supplied by AICTE, 30 (10 B.Tech and 20 diploma) have been completed and reviewed; the rest are under editorial review.
Third-year texts: Work is underway on 22 out of 48 books.
Fourth-year books: Translation is yet to begin
This educational drive aligns with the AICTE’s implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, which includes Odia among eleven regional languages approved for technical instruction.
