Madras University’s Tamil translation of PG programme draws flak

Madras University criticized for insensitive translation of disability term in degree certificates, sparking controversy among activists.

The University of Madras has faced criticism for terminology used in translating degree certificates of students. The varsity’s translation of a term in a postgraduate programme offered by the Madras School of Social Work is at the heart of the controversy.

In 2021, MSSW, affiliated with the university, started a PG programme, ‘Master of Social Work in Disability and Empowerment’, and its first batch graduated recently. The university, as per its norm, had translated the name of the programme in Tamil as ‘Iyalaamai mattrum adhigaramalithal’ in the degree certificates it had issued to the students. 

It is the term ‘iyalaamai’, which translates as disability, that has caused consternation to disability rights activist and founder of Nethrodaya, C. Govindakrishnan. In a letter to the Higher Education Minister, he complained that the institution “wilfully degraded the differently abled community” in the Tamil translation of the degree certificate.  

Mr. Govindakrishnan said former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had introduced the term ‘maatruthiranaligal’ (differently abled) and had established an exclusive department in 2010. The term was now the official terminology across all departments, including universities, he said.  

According to him, the use of the term ‘iyalaamai’ was an insensitive act on the part of the university’s officials, besides being a “serious violation of Rights to Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.” He appealed to the department to “issue appropriate directions/orders” to the university authorities to issue fresh degree certificates with “the proper Tamil translation.”