Cuttack, Nov. 15: Translation of English literature into Odia can now be done just at the click of a mouse. A language technology centre at Ravenshaw University here has come up with a unique software for this job.

Hundreds of pages in English would be converted into Odia in 15 minutes, said director of the centre G.C. Mishra at the inaugural function of Bhasa Lab at the university today. “The software would be of great help to students in understanding the meaning of certain words in English,” said Mishra.

“One can easily translate English text into Odia using the software called machine translation. The text has to be fed into the system and it would deliver a translated version in minutes,” he said.

Though the centre was established six months ago, it did not have full-fledged infrastructure and was operating from the Odia department of the university.

Moreover, already a huge database of around 3,25,000 words in English and Odia have been created, which would facilitate the translation of difficult as well as commonly used words.

The main objective of the lab is to develop software with regard to Indian languages.

Already 70 to 80 per cent of the first project — translation of English text to Odia — have been completed and it would take another couple of months to bridge the existing discrepancies.

The software would help not only the students, but also the state government’s ambitious e-governance system and work of other departments. A notification had been issued for carrying out all official works in Odia, Mishra said.

“The project would be successful if the state and Union governments extend support,” he said.

There are also plans to develop software in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Santhali (a tribal dialect). University officials said at present, 10 computers and a separate unit had been provided for the project. Similarly, efforts are also on to start a two-year diploma course in language technology discipline from the next academic session.

However, a blue print for the course is yet to be prepared and it is expected that the first batch would start with 32 students. “The Bhasa Lab would do a world of good to students and the community at large,” said Ravenshaw vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray.