The Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities (BSH) at SiliconTech, the engineering institute of Silicon University, organized an insightful invited talk titled ‘Bridging Civilizations: The Translation of Greek and Indian Scientific Texts’ on 1 August 2025.
The session aimed to highlight translation’s historical and contemporary relevance in the cross-cultural transmission of scientific knowledge.
The distinguished speaker for the event was Professor Peter Constantine from the University of Connecticut, USA, currently in India under the South Asian Literature in Translation (SALT) grant by the University of Chicago. The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Jaideep Talukdar, Vice Chancellor of Silicon University, who emphasized the significance of intercultural dialogues in academia. Professor Constantine, a celebrated translator and scholar, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the evolution of language in translating classical Greek and Indian scientific texts. He elaborated on the complexities, methodologies, and cultural sensitivities involved in the process. Accompanying him was Dr. Tanutrushna Panigrahi, Buxi Jgabandhu Chair Professor (Govt. of India) at Utkal University, whose presence further enriched the academic discourse.
Professor Constantine also explored the role of Artificial Intelligence in translation, acknowledging its potential to enhance accessibility and efficiency while cautioning against the risks of losing cultural nuance. The session concluded with a lively Q&A interaction, during which students and faculty engaged deeply with the speaker. As a token of gratitude, a memento was presented to Professor Constantine. The event was a valuable academic experience, encouraging interdisciplinary exploration and paving the way for future collaborations in translation studies.
