Using Gen AI for Translating Poems: A Comparative Study

 Using Gen AI for Translating Poems: A Comparative Study

This blog is based on the Translation Studies activity assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad. The task focuses on exploring how Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini translate poetry across different languages. The activity helps students understand the challenges of translating poems while applying theoretical concepts from translation studies.

Introduction

Translation is not just about changing words from one language to another. It also involves transferring emotion, rhythm, cultural meaning, and poetic beauty. Poetry translation becomes even more complex because poems contain metre, imagery, symbolism, and cultural nuances.

With the development of Generative AI tools, translation has become faster and more accessible. However, an important question arises:

Can AI tools translate poetry effectively while preserving its artistic qualities?

This activity explores this question by comparing translations generated by ChatGPT and Gemini.

Original Poem

مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ

میں نے سمجھا تھا کہ تو ہے تو درخشاں ہے حیات

تیرا غم ہے تو غم دہر کا جھگڑا کیا ہے

تیری صورت سے ہے عالم میں بہاروں کو ثبات

تیری آنکھوں کے سوا دنیا میں رکھا کیا ہے

تو جو مل جائے تو تقدیر نگوں ہو جائے

یوں نہ تھا میں نے فقط چاہا تھا یوں ہو جائے

اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا

راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا

ان گنت صدیوں کے تاریک بہیمانہ طلسم

ریشم و اطلس و کمخاب میں بنوائے ہوئے

جا بہ جا بکتے ہوئے کوچہ و بازار میں جسم

خاک میں لتھڑے ہوئے خون میں نہلائے ہوئے

جسم نکلے ہوئے امراض کے تنوروں سے

پیپ بہتی ہوئی گلتے ہوئے ناسوروں سے

لوٹ جاتی ہے ادھر کو بھی نظر کیا کیجے

اب بھی دل کش ہے ترا حسن مگر کیا کیجے

اور بھی دکھ ہیں زمانے میں محبت کے سوا

راحتیں اور بھی ہیں وصل کی راحت کے سوا

مجھ سے پہلی سی محبت مری محبوب نہ مانگ

Translate by Chat GPT

मुझसे पहली-सी मोहब्बत, मेरी महबूब, न माँग

(फ़ैज़ अहमद फ़ैज़ — काव्यात्मक हिंदी अनुवाद)

मुझसे पहली-सी मोहब्बत, मेरी महबूब, न माँग।

मैंने माना था कि तू है तो उजाला है जीवन,

तेरा ग़म है तो ग़म-ए-दुनिया का झंझट क्या है?

तेरे चेहरे से ही इस जग की बहारें क़ायम,

तेरी आँखों के सिवा इस जहाँ में रखा क्या है?

तू अगर मिल जाए तो क़िस्मत झुकी जाए,

यूँ न था—मैंने तो बस चाहा था यूँ हो जाए।

और भी दुख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा,

और भी सुख हैं यहाँ वस्ल की राहत के सिवा।

अनगिनत सदियों के अंधे, वहशी तिलिस्म,

रेशम-ओ-अतलस में लिपटे हुए, रचे गए।

गली-कूचों, बाज़ारों में बिकते हुए जिस्म,

ख़ाक में लिथड़े हुए, ख़ून में डूबे गए।

जिस्म जो निकले हैं बीमारियों की भट्ठी से,

पीप बहती हुई, गलते हुए नासूरों से।

नज़र लौटती है उधर भी—तो क्या कीजे?

अब भी आकर्षक है तेरा हुस्न, पर क्या कीजे?

और भी दुख हैं ज़माने में मोहब्बत के सिवा,

और भी सुख हैं यहाँ वस्ल की राहत के सिवा।

मुझसे पहली-सी मोहब्बत, मेरी महबूब, न माँग।

Translation by Gemini

Do Not Ask Me, My Love, for That First Love

Do not ask me, my love, for that love we had before. I once believed that life shone bright because of you alone; That if I had your grief, why should I care for the world's groan? That through your face, the seasons found their permanence and grace; That nothing lived within this world, save the beauty of your face.

If I could only win you, fate would bow its head to me. Yet it was not so; I merely wished that it could be.

There are sorrows in this world, far beyond the grief of love, And comforts other than the touch that lovers dream of.

The dark and brutal sorcery of countless centuries, Woven into silk and gold and finest tapestries; Bodies sold in every lane, in markets high and low, Smeared in dust and bathed in blood, with nowhere else to go.

Bodies emerging from the ovens of a deep disease, With festering sores and flowing pus, and no hope for release. My gaze returns to this as well; what then can I do? Your beauty is still ravishing, but what then can I do?

There are sorrows in this world, far beyond the grief of love, And comforts other than the touch that lovers dream of.

Do not ask me, my love, for that love we had before.

Comparative Analysis Report: Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Mujh Se Pehli Si Mohabbat”

1. Syntax, Sound, and Metre

Gemini (English Translation):

To preserve the rhythm and sound of the poem, Gemini attempts to use a loose form of iambic hexameter. In some stanzas, rhyme schemes such as AABB or ABCB (for example: alone/groan and grace/face) are used to imitate the Radif and Qaafiya, the refrain and rhyme pattern typical of Urdu ghazals. However, English syntax has difficulty reflecting the complex and layered sentence structures common in Urdu poetry. As a result, the translated lines often become longer and structurally heavier than those in the original poem.

ChatGPT (Hindi Translation):

Because Hindi and Urdu share the same grammatical foundation, Khariboli, the translated syntax remains very close to the original poem. The rhythm and natural flow of the verse are maintained more effectively, as the translator does not have to bridge the structural differences between Indo-European and Germanic language systems. The translation also leans toward transcreation, retaining Persianized terms such as Gham-e-Duniya, which help preserve the phonetic and emotional texture of the original poem.

2. Lexicon, Grammar, and Semiotics

Lexical Challenges:

One difficult word to translate is “Vasal” (Union). Gemini expands its meaning by translating it as “the touch that lovers dream of.” This approach clarifies the meaning but also stretches the original word into a longer explanation. In contrast, ChatGPT keeps the word “Vasl”, assuming that readers will recognize its cultural and literary significance within the Urdu poetic tradition.

Semiotics of Suffering:

In the later part of the poem, Faiz introduces images such as “Tanoor” (furnaces or ovens) and “Nasoor” (festering wounds).

Gemini translates this imagery as “ovens of a deep disease.” While this captures the intensity and burning imagery, it removes the cultural association of the communal bread oven, which in the original poem symbolizes a society consumed by suffering.

ChatGPT, however, translates Tanoor as “Bhatti” (furnace/kiln), which remains closer to the cultural and symbolic meaning of the original term.

3. Cultural Connotations and Collocations

Poetic Collocations:

The phrase “Darakhshan hai Hayat” literally means “life is radiant” and is a traditional poetic expression.

Gemini renders this as “life shone bright.” Although understandable, this phrase resembles a common English cliché and loses the elevated and slightly formal tone conveyed by the word Darakhshan.

ChatGPT instead uses “Ujala” (light). While this simplifies the Persianized vocabulary of the Urdu text, it still preserves the emotional meaning and poetic resonance.

Silk and Brocade Imagery:

The phrase “Resham-o-Atlas-o-Kamkhab” refers to different luxurious fabrics that symbolise feudal wealth and social hierarchy.

Gemini summarizes these materials as “silk and gold and finest tapestries.” Although this captures the sense of luxury, it does not fully convey the specific socio-economic distinctions represented by the original fabrics mentioned by Faiz.

4. Translation Challenges and Solutions

The “Untranslatable” Refrain:

The line “Aur bhi dukh hain zamane mein mohabbat ke siva” marks a philosophical turning point in the poem.

The difficulty lies in translating the word “Dukh,” which refers not only to emotional sorrow but also to broader suffering and hardship.

Gemini resolves this by writing “sorrows… beyond the grief of love,” distinguishing between grief and sorrow to show a hierarchy of suffering. ChatGPT keeps the word “Dukh,” relying on the shared vocabulary of Hindi and Urdu to maintain its layered meaning.

The Poetic Pivot:

The word “Magar” (But) in the line “Ab bhi dilkash hai tera husn magar kya kijiye” represents the emotional conflict at the heart of the poem.

Gemini translates it as “but what then can I do?” which successfully expresses the poet’s sense of helplessness—his struggle between personal love and social commitment.

Comparison Summary: Which Translation Was More Effective?

ChatGPT’s translation better preserves the structure, tone, and emotional depth of the poem because it operates within a closely related linguistic framework. This results in a translation that remains closer to the original text.

Gemini, on the other hand, is more successful in communicating the poem across cultures. It adapts Faiz’s ideas—especially the underlying political and revolutionary themes—to suit English poetic conventions, even if this means sacrificing some literal accuracy.

Reflection Through Translation Theory

Roman Jakobson – “Equivalence in Difference”

Jakobson argued that poetry is essentially untranslatable. The shift from Urdu to English illustrates this idea clearly. Gemini often uses creative substitutions—such as replacing the specific word Tanoor with the more general oven—to achieve emotional equivalence for the reader.

J.C. Catford – Translation Shifts

ChatGPT shows strong formal correspondence, since Hindi and Urdu share similar grammar and vocabulary. Gemini, however, frequently introduces translation shifts, where single Urdu words become longer descriptive expressions in English in order to convey the meaning accurately.

G.N. Devy and A.K. Ramanujan

G.N. Devy’s concept of the “afterlife” of a text suggests that translation allows a work to continue living in new cultural contexts. Through these AI translations, Faiz’s poetry reaches a wider audience. Ramanujan’s distinction between Akam (interior/private) and Puram (exterior/public) landscapes is also relevant. The poem begins with the private realm of romantic love but eventually shifts toward public suffering and social injustice. Both AI translations manage to reflect this important thematic movement.

Conclusion

The AI translations demonstrate that while syntactic structures can be transferred between languages, culturally rich words such as Kamkhab or Vasal carry deep historical and cultural meanings that are difficult to replicate fully. Translators must therefore balance accuracy, cultural meaning, and poetic beauty, often sacrificing one element in order to preserve another.

Original Poem : The Second Coming

By William Butler Yeats

Turning and turning in the widening gyre   

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere   

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst   

Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;

Surely the Second Coming is at hand.   

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out   

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi

Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert   

A shape with lion body and the head of a man,   

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,   

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it   

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.   

The darkness drops again; but now I know   

That twenty centuries of stony sleep

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,   

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,   

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Translate by Chat GPT

द सेकण्ड कमिंग 

— डब्ल्यू. बी. यीट्स

घूमते-घूमते फैलती हुई वर्तुल में

बाज़ अब बाज़पाल की पुकार नहीं सुनता;

सब कुछ बिखर रहा है—केन्द्र टिक नहीं पाता,

नग्न अराजकता जगत पर छोड़ दी गई है।

रक्त से धुँधली लहर छूट पड़ी है, हर ओर

निर्दोषता के संस्कार डूबते जा रहे हैं;

श्रेष्ठ जन संकल्पहीन हैं,

और निकृष्ट जन उन्मत्त उग्रता से भरे हुए।

निश्चय ही कोई उद्घाटन समीप है,

निश्चय ही दूसरा आगमन समीप है।

दूसरा आगमन!

ये शब्द अभी गूँजे ही थे कि

Spiritus Mundi से उपजी

एक विराट प्रतिमा मेरी दृष्टि को विचलित कर देती है—

कहीं मरुस्थल की रेत में

सिंह का शरीर, मनुष्य का मस्तक,

जिसकी दृष्टि सूर्य-सी निष्ठुर और शून्य है,

अपने भारी जंघाओं को घसीटता हुआ बढ़ रहा है,

और उसके चारों ओर

क्रुद्ध मरु-पक्षियों की छायाएँ डगमगाती हैं।

फिर अँधकार छा जाता है;

पर अब मैं जान गया हूँ—

बीस शताब्दियों की पथरीली निद्रा

एक झूले की हलचल से दुःस्वप्न बन गई है।

और कौन-सा वह विकराल पशु है

जिसकी घड़ी आखिर आ ही गई है,

जो बेथलहम की ओर

जन्म लेने को

घिसटता चला आ रहा है?

Translation by Gemini

દ્વિતીય આગમન (The Second Coming)

વિશાળ થતા ચક્રાવાતમાં ગોળ-ગોળ ઘૂમતું, બાજ હવે બાજપાલનો સાદ સુણી શકતું નથી; વસ્તુઓ વિખરાય છે; કેન્દ્ર હવે ટકી શકતું નથી; માત્ર અરાજકતા વિશ્વ પર છૂટી મૂકાઈ છે, રક્ત-રંજિત ભરતી ઉછળી છે, અને સર્વત્ર નિર્દોષતાનો ઉત્સવ ડૂબી રહ્યો છે; શ્રેષ્ઠ લોકોમાં નિશ્ચયનો અભાવ છે, જ્યારે કનિષ્ઠો ઝનૂની તીવ્રતાથી ભરેલા છે.

ચોક્કસ કોઈ સાક્ષાત્કાર નજીક છે; ચોક્કસ દ્વિતીય આગમન નજીક છે. દ્વિતીય આગમન! હજી તો આ શબ્દો બહાર આવે, ત્યાં જ 'સ્પિરિટસ મુંડી' (જગત-આત્મા) માંથી એક વિશાળ આકૃતિ મારી દ્રષ્ટિને ક્ષુબ્ધ કરે છે: રણની રેતીમાં ક્યાંક સિંહનું શરીર અને મનુષ્યનું મસ્તક ધરાવતો એક આકાર, સૂર્ય જેવી શૂન્ય અને નિર્દય જેની દ્રષ્ટિ છે, પોતાના મંથર સાથળ હલાવી રહ્યો છે, જ્યારે તેની આસપાસ રોષે ભરાયેલા રણ-પક્ષીઓના પડછાયા ઘૂમી રહ્યા છે.

અંધકાર ફરી ઉતરી આવે છે; પણ હવે હું જાણું છું કે પથ્થર જેવી વીસ સદીઓની નિદ્રાને એક પારણાના ઝૂલવાએ દુઃસ્વપ્નમાં ફેરવી નાખી હતી, અને કયું એ ભયાનક પશુ, જેનો સમય આખરે આવી ગયો છે, જન્મ લેવા માટે બેથલેહેમ તરફ લથડતા પગલે ધસી રહ્યું છે?

Comparative Analysis Report: “The Second Coming” by W. B. Yeats

1. Comparative Analysis

Syntax, Sound, and Metre

ChatGPT (Hindi Translation):

The Hindi translation successfully recreates the blank verse atmosphere of the original poem. Words such as Vartul (circle/gyre) and Baajpal (falconer) help establish a sharp and ominous rhythm. The sentence structure is arranged in a way that reflects the sense of disintegration present in Yeats’s lines, using punctuation and pauses to produce the same hurried and breathless pacing found in the original text.

Gemini (Gujarati Translation):

The Gujarati version adopts a more straightforward and prose-like structure. While it conveys the meaning accurately, it does not fully maintain the rhythmic movement that characterizes the opening stanza. As a result, the translation feels closer to a literary explanation than to a poetic composition. Nevertheless, the use of the word Chakravat effectively represents the rotating motion implied by the concept of the gyre.

Lexicon, Grammar, and Semiotics

Spiritus Mundi:

This Latin phrase refers to the “World Soul.”

ChatGPT preserves the original form of the phrase through transliteration, maintaining its foreign and mystical symbolic value.

Gemini provides an explanatory equivalent such as Jagat-Atma, which helps readers understand the concept but slightly reduces the occult tone intended by Yeats.

The Beast:

Yeats describes a terrifying creature similar to a Sphinx.

ChatGPT translates this as Vikral Pashu (formidable or monstrous beast), which carries a strong Sanskritized intensity suitable for an apocalyptic image.

Gemini uses Bhayanak Pashu, a more common expression that conveys fear but lacks the same mythic gravity.

Cultural Connotations and Collocations

“The Second Coming”:

This phrase is deeply rooted in Christian theology.

Both Hindi (Doosra Aagman) and Gujarati (Dvitiya Agaman) translations render it literally. However, in many Indic cultural contexts, Aagman often implies a welcome arrival of a divine figure, which makes it difficult for the translations to fully convey the dark irony associated with the return described in Yeats’s poem.

Bethlehem:

Both translations correctly retain the place name. The phrase “slouches towards Bethlehem” poses a particular challenge.

ChatGPT uses Ghisat-ta (dragging or crawling), which effectively expresses the sinister and unnatural movement of the creature described in the poem.

Challenges and Resolutions

The Concept of the Gyre:

The word gyre represents Yeats’s idea of cyclical historical movement.

Both translations address this difficulty by using terms connected to circles or vortices, such as Vartul and Chakravat. In doing so, they prioritize the visual image of rotation rather than the full philosophical implications of Yeats’s historical theory.

“The ceremony of innocence is drowned”:

This metaphor is highly abstract and difficult to translate naturally into Indo-Aryan languages.

ChatGPT renders it as Nirdoshta ke Sanskar (the rituals or sacred practices of innocence), which works as an effective cultural equivalent for the idea of a “ceremony.”

2. Comparison Summary: ChatGPT vs. Gemini

The Hindi translation by ChatGPT performs better in maintaining the poetic tone and stylistic intensity of the original poem. It employs a more elevated register of Khariboli Hindi that suits Yeats’s prophetic voice. Word choices such as Unmatt (frenzied or intoxicated) for “passionate intensity” demonstrate a strong sensitivity to poetic nuance.

The Gujarati translation by Gemini, on the other hand, excels in clarity and accessibility. It presents the ideas of the poem in a way that is easier for general readers to understand, although this readability sometimes comes at the expense of the poem’s haunting rhythm and dramatic atmosphere.

3. Reflection Through Translation Theory

The AI translations of poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and W. B. Yeats illustrate several key principles from translation theory.

Roman Jakobson – Creative Transposition

Jakobson proposed that poetry requires creative transformation rather than simple word substitution. The AI demonstrates this when phrases like “blank and pitiless” are translated as Nishthur aur Shoonya, replacing the original expression with culturally meaningful equivalents.

J. C. Catford – Formal Correspondence and Level Shift

Catford’s theory can be observed when the translation shifts from English grammatical structures—such as the passive construction in “is loosed”—to lexical choices in Hindi or Gujarati that emphasize the idea that chaos has been deliberately released.

G. N. Devy – Translation as Cultural Transformation

Rendering Yeats’s poem into Hindi or Gujarati subtly localizes the apocalyptic imagery. Terms like Sanskar or Atma introduce concepts from Indic philosophical traditions, thereby reshaping the Western Christian imagery of the poem within a different cultural framework.

A. K. Ramanujan – Context Sensitivity

Both AI systems display an awareness of context. In translating Faiz, they adopt a romantic and revolutionary tone, whereas in Yeats’s poem they shift to a prophetic and apocalyptic register.

Conclusion

These translations demonstrate that AI systems are evolving beyond simple dictionary-based tools. Instead, they operate more like functional translators, focusing on the purpose (Skopos) of the poem—its emotional and thematic impact on readers. Although they sometimes struggle with culturally specific elements, such as the fabrics in Faiz’s poetry or the theological implications in Yeats’s imagery, they still manage to communicate the broader meaning and atmosphere of the original works.

Original Poem : આષાઢી સાંજ

આષાઢી સાંજનાં અંબર ગાજે

અંબર ગાજે, મેઘાડંબર ગાજે! -આષાઢી.

માતેલા મોરલાના ટૌકા બોલે

ટૌકા બોલે, ધીરી ઢેલડ ડોલે. -આષાઢી.

ગરવા ગોવાળિયાના પાવા વાગે

પાવા વાગે, સૂતી ગોપી જાગે. -આષાઢી.

વીરાની વાડીઓમાં અમૃત રેલે,

અમૃત રેલે, ભાભી ઝરમર ઝીલે. -આષાઢી.

ભાભીની રાતીચોળ ચૂંદડ ભીંજે,

ચૂંદડ ભીંજે, ખોળે બેટો રીઝે. -આષાઢી.

આષાઢી સાંજનાં અંબર ગાજે

અંબર ગાજે મેઘાડંબર ગાજે! -આષાઢી.

Translate by Chat GPT

आषाढ़ी साँझ

आषाढ़ी साँझ में गगन गरज उठे,

गगन गरज उठे, मेघों का डमरू गूँजे! —आषाढ़ी।

मदमाते मोरों की टेरें गूँजें,

टेरें गूँजें, धीर-धीरे डालियाँ डोलें। —आषाढ़ी।

गंभीर ग्वालों की पावाँ बज उठें,

पावाँ बज उठें, सोई गोपी जाग उठे। —आषाढ़ी।

वीरान बाड़ियों में अमृत बरसे,

अमृत बरसे, भाभी रिमझिम भीग उठे। —आषाढ़ी।

भाभी का लाल-ओढ़ना भीग जाए,

भीग जाए, गोद में बालक रीझ जाए। —आषाढ़ी।

आषाढ़ी साँझ में गगन गरज उठे,

गगन गरज उठे, मेघों का डमरू गूँजे! —आषाढ़ी।

Translation by Gemini

The Skies of an Ashadh Evening Resound

On Ashadh’s eve, the heavens roar and ring, The heavens roar, the clouded canopies sing! — Ashadh.

Enraptured peacocks cry their rhythmic call, Their voices rise, as graceful peahens stall. — Ashadh.

The proud young cowherds play their flutes with pride, The flutes resound, the sleeping Gopis glide. — Ashadh.

In brothers' fields, the nectar starts to pour, The nectar flows, while sisters-in-law adore. — Ashadh.

The crimson veil, so soaked in rain, turns bright, The veil is drenched, the child laughs with delight. — Ashadh.

On Ashadh’s eve, the heavens roar and ring, The heavens roar, the clouded canopies sing! — Ashadh.

Comparative Analysis

Syntax, Sound, and Metre

ChatGPT (Hindi):

The Hindi translation successfully recreates the repetitive folk rhythm (Dhal) of the original poem. By repeating the first part of the line in the second half—such as “Gagan garaj uthe / Gagan garaj uthe”—it maintains the echo-like musical effect that is typical of Gujarati folk songs. This repetition preserves the original poem’s rhythmic flow and oral performance quality.

Gemini (English):

To reproduce sound and rhythm, Gemini adopts an AABB rhyme scheme (for example, ring/sing and call/stall). While this creates a recognizable Western poetic rhythm, it changes the original syntax in order to fit the rhyme. As a result, the translation moves away from the simple and repetitive structure that characterizes the original folk style.

Lexicon, Grammar, and Semiotics

Meghadambar (મેઘાડંબર):

ChatGPT translates this phrase as “Meghon ka Damru” (the drum of the clouds). This is a creative semiotic transformation: instead of keeping the literal meaning of Adambar (grandeur or spectacle), it introduces Damru—the drum associated with Lord Shiva—which reflects the loud, rhythmic sound of thunder.

Gemini translates the term as “clouded canopies.” Although visually descriptive, this translation removes the auditory dimension and mythological associations present in the original expression.

Bhabhi (ભાભી):

ChatGPT retains the word “Bhabhi,” preserving the culturally specific meaning of an affectionate and respected elder sister-in-law within South Asian families.

Gemini translates it as “sisters-in-law.” While technically correct, the phrase lacks the warmth and cultural nuance conveyed by the original term.

Cultural Connotations and Collocations

Raatichol Chundad (રાતીચોળ ચુંદડ):

This phrase refers to a deep crimson tie-dye veil traditionally worn in Gujarati culture.

ChatGPT translates it as “Lal-Odhna” (red veil), which functions as a culturally close equivalent.

Gemini uses the phrase “crimson veil… turns bright,” adding descriptive imagery to make the concept accessible to readers unfamiliar with the specific garment.

Pava (પાવો):

ChatGPT interprets Pava as “Pawan.” Gemini translates it as “flutes.” However, Pava is actually a specific double-flute instrument played by shepherds, so translating it simply as “flute” generalizes the culturally specific instrument.

Challenges and Resolutions

The “Matela” Peacock:

The word Matela suggests a sense of being intoxicated or overwhelmed with joy.

ChatGPT translates it as “Madmaate,” which closely matches the emotional and physical intensity of the original word.

Gemini translates it as “enraptured,” which captures the emotional excitement but lacks the wild, energetic connotation present in the Gujarati term.

The Onomatopoeic Word “Jharmar” (ઝરમર):

This word imitates the gentle sound of drizzling rain.

ChatGPT replaces it with “Rimjhim,” a Hindi onomatopoeic word that reproduces the same phonetic effect.

Gemini translates it as “nectar flows,” shifting the focus from the sound of rainfall to the idea of rain as life-giving water.

Comparison Summary: ChatGPT vs. Gemini

The ChatGPT Hindi translation performs better in preserving the cultural symbolism and emotional atmosphere of the original poem. Because Hindi and Gujarati share a similar linguistic and cultural background, the translation feels natural and retains much of the poem’s traditional flavor. Creative choices—such as using Damru for Adambar—demonstrate an imaginative and culturally informed approach.

The Gemini English translation, on the other hand, works more effectively as a literary adaptation. It reshapes the folk song into a structured English poem. Although this transformation reduces the folk texture of the original, it allows readers unfamiliar with Gujarati culture to appreciate the imagery of rain, peacocks, and pastoral life.

Reflection Through Translation Theory

Roman Jakobson – Interlingual Translation:

Jakobson suggested that translating poetry requires creative transformation rather than literal substitution. ChatGPT’s version functions as a cultural transposition within a similar linguistic environment, whereas Gemini’s translation represents a deeper recoding of the poem for a different cultural context.

J. C. Catford – Translation Shifts:

Gemini’s translation shows examples of category shifts. For instance, the Gujarati noun Amrut (nectar) becomes the phrase “nectar starts to pour,” transforming a noun into a verbal expression to fit English poetic structure.

A. K. Ramanujan – Context Sensitivity:

Both translations demonstrate sensitivity to context. ChatGPT responds more to the internal cultural relationships within the poem, such as the role of Bhabhi or pastoral characters like the Gopi. Gemini focuses more on the external aesthetic environment, emphasizing the beauty and imagery of the monsoon landscape.

G. N. Devy – Multilingual Continuum:

This exercise also reflects Devy’s idea that Indian languages exist within a translation-rich cultural continuum. The shift from Gujarati to Hindi appears almost like a natural extension of the original poem, while the shift into English feels more like a creative rebirth of the text in a different literary world.

Concluding Reflection

The AI translations demonstrate how translation functions as a bridge between cultures. ChatGPT operates as a cultural insider, preserving the Dhvani (suggestion and sound) of the original folk poem. Gemini works more like a cultural mediator, translating the Artha (meaning) and Roopa (form) into a style suitable for a Western poetic audience. Together, these translations highlight that successful translation is not merely about replacing words but about capturing the emotional and cultural equivalence of the original work across languages.

Original Poem : कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती

कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है

चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है

मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है

चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है

आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती

कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है

जा जाकर खाली हाथ लौटकर आता है

मिलते नहीं सहज ही मोती गहरे पानी में

बढ़ता दुगना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में

मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती

कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

असफलता एक चुनौती है, स्वीकार करो

क्या कमी रह गई, देखो और सुधार करो

जब तक न सफल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम

संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़ मत भागो तुम

कुछ किये बिना ही जय जयकार नहीं होती

कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

Translate by Chat GPT

Those Who Keep Trying Never Truly Fail

Fearing the waves, no boat can cross the shore;

Those who keep trying never fail for sure.

When the tiny ant walks on with grain held tight,

Climbing the wall, it slips a hundred times in its plight.

Faith in the heart fills every vein with might,

Rising, falling—yet never losing the fight.

In the end, its labor does not go in vain;

Those who keep trying never fail again.

The diver plunges deep into the ocean wide,

Returns time and again with empty hands beside.

Pearls are not found with ease in waters so deep,

Yet wonder itself makes the courage leap.

Not every time does his fist stay bare;

Those who keep trying never fall to despair.

Failure is a challenge—accept it with grace,

See what was lacking and mend each place.

Till success is won, forsake rest and ease,

Do not flee the battlefield of struggle, please.

Without effort, no victory cry resounds;

Those who keep trying are never truly bound.

Translation by Gemini

મથનારાઓની હાર નથી હોતી

લહેરોથી ડરીને નૌકા પાર નથી હોતી, મથનારાઓની કદી હાર નથી હોતી.

નાનકડી કીડી જ્યારે દાણો લઈને ચાલે છે, ચડતી દીવાલો પર સો વાર લપસે છે. મનનો વિશ્વાસ રગમાં સાહસ ભરે છે, ચડીને પડવું, પડીને ચડવું ન અખરે છે. આખરે એની મહેનત બેકાર નથી હોતી, મથનારાઓની કદી હાર નથી હોતી.

ડૂબકીઓ સિંધુમાં મરજીવો લગાવે છે, જઈ જઈને ખાલી હાથે પાછો આવે છે. મળતા નથી સહેજ મોતી ઊંડા પાણીમાં, વધે બમણો ઉત્સાહ એની હેરાનીમાં. મુઠ્ઠી એની ખાલી હરવાર નથી હોતી, મથનારાઓની કદી હાર નથી હોતી.

નિષ્ફળતા એક પડકાર છે, સ્વીકાર કરો, ક્યાં કમી રહી ગઈ, જુઓ અને સુધાર કરો. જ્યાં સુધી સફળ ન થાઓ, નિદ્રા-ચેન ત્યાગો તમે, સંઘર્ષનું મેદાન છોડી ના ભાગો તમે. કંઈ કર્યા વગર જય-જયકાર નથી હોતી, મથનારાઓની કદી હાર નથી હોતી.

Comparative Analysis

Syntax, Sound, and Metre

ChatGPT (English):

To maintain the musical quality of the poem, ChatGPT uses AABB rhyming couplets such as shore/sure and tight/plight. This strategy helps reproduce rhythm in English poetry. However, English sentence structure often requires additional connecting words to keep the rhyme and rhythm consistent. Because of this, the translation sometimes weakens the concise and aphoristic quality of the original Hindi Chaupai metre.

Gemini (Gujarati):

The Gujarati translation closely follows the syntax of the original poem because Hindi and Gujarati share similar linguistic roots. As a result, the rhythm and structure remain largely intact. The use of the word “Mathnara” (those who strive or churn through effort) instead of the literal equivalent of Koshish adds a stronger phonetic and cultural resonance in Gujarati.

Lexicon, Grammar, and Semiotics

The Ant (नन्हीं चींटी / નાનકડી કીડી):

ChatGPT translates this phrase as “tiny ant,” which is a straightforward and literal rendering.

Gemini uses “Nanakdi Kidi,” a Gujarati expression that carries a softer and more affectionate tone. This enhances the symbolic contrast between the small insect and the large obstacle it faces.

The Diver (गोताखोर / મરજીવો):

ChatGPT translates the term simply as “diver,” which conveys the basic meaning.

Gemini chooses “Marjivo.” In Gujarati culture, a Marjivo refers to someone who risks their life to search for pearls in the sea. This interpretation adds a heroic and culturally layered meaning that the literal word “diver” does not fully capture.

Cultural Connotations and Collocations

“Jai-Jaikar” (जय-जयकार / જય-જયકાર):

ChatGPT translates this expression as “victory cry resounds.” This is a successful functional equivalent because it reflects the celebratory and public spirit of the phrase.

Gemini retains “Jai-Jaikar” unchanged. In the Indian cultural context, this phrase already carries a well-known meaning connected to praise, celebration, and triumph, making direct retention effective in Gujarati.

“Sindhu” (सिंधु / સિંધુ):

Both translations correctly recognize that Sindhu symbolizes the vast ocean of life rather than referring specifically to the Indus River.

Challenges and Resolutions

The phrase “Nahi Akharta” (नहीं अखरता):

This phrase suggests that failure does not cause bitterness or emotional discomfort.

ChatGPT renders this idea as “never losing the fight,” shifting the focus from emotional resilience to continued action and perseverance.

Gemini uses the Gujarati equivalent “Nakhre Che,” which preserves the subtle psychological idea that failure does not “sting” or disturb the determined individual.

“Neend-Chain” (नींद-चैन):

This common Hindi expression refers to peace of mind and restful comfort.

ChatGPT translates it as “rest and ease.”

Gemini keeps the Sanskritized expression “Nindra-Chen,” maintaining the traditional linguistic tone of the phrase.

Comparison Summary: ChatGPT vs. Gemini

The English translation by ChatGPT functions more as a creative adaptation. Instead of translating word for word, it attempts to shape the poem into a form that sounds natural and poetic in English. This sometimes leads to the addition of extra words to maintain rhyme and rhythm, which makes it suitable for readers unfamiliar with the original language.

The Gujarati translation by Gemini works more effectively as a formal equivalent of the original poem. Because the cultural and linguistic distance between Hindi and Gujarati is minimal, the translation can remain very close to the source text. As a result, it reflects the original poem more faithfully and preserves its poetic tone.

Reflection Through Translation Theory

Roman Jakobson – Equivalence in Difference:

Jakobson argued that translation aims for equivalence even when exact linguistic matches are impossible. For example, while English lacks a direct equivalent for Jai-Jaikar, the phrase “victory cry” communicates a similar meaning and emotional effect.

J. C. Catford – Formal Correspondence:

Gemini’s Gujarati translation demonstrates strong formal correspondence, since the grammatical structure of the sentences closely follows the original Hindi. This is easier when translating between Indo-Aryan languages, which share similar syntactic patterns.

A. K. Ramanujan – Context Sensitivity:

Both AI systems recognize the motivational and didactic tone of the poem. For instance, ChatGPT translates “Sangharsh ka maidan” as “battlefield of struggle,” aligning the metaphor with the global language of perseverance and determination.

G. N. Devy – Afterlife of a Text:

In English, the poem’s translated form resembles a modern motivational verse. In Gujarati, however, it retains the character of traditional folk wisdom, illustrating how translations create new cultural “lives” for literary works.

Concluding Reflection

Across the translations of poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, W. B. Yeats, Zaverchand Meghani, and Sohanlal Dwivedi, AI translation tools demonstrate an increasing ability to differentiate between literal meaning and poetic intention.

ChatGPT often takes a creative and adaptive approach, adjusting structure and language to match the rhythm and style of the target language. Gemini generally adopts a preservative strategy, staying closer to the linguistic structure and cultural context of the original text.

Overall, these examples show that modern AI translation increasingly focuses on cultural and emotional equivalence rather than simple word substitution. However, human interpretation remains essential for capturing the subtle meanings of culturally rich elements such as traditional garments, symbolic imagery, or spiritually loaded concepts within poetry.