The Hyderabad Book Fair has seen a trend of a number of people buying English books translated into Telugu. A step inside a Telugu book stall at the exhibition will confirm this with stands dedicated for translated books.
Publishers and owners of various book stores with stalls in the fair, claim that many high-selling English books are now being written in regional languages owing to good demand from readers.
Telugu version of The Secret, a self-help book by Rhonda Byrne, which sold 46 million copies worldwide, can be found on shelves of numerous book stores.
“Most of books sold are on personality development like How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill,” Navodaya Book House owner owner Sambasiva Rao said. He explained that many youngsters were opting for translated books. “Most of them are software professionals who want stay in touch with their language,” he mentioned.
Head of Maruthi Mallikarjuna Book House at Dilsukhnagar, P Mallesh, ascertained that price of translated books was also low when compared to their English versions. “The book 7 Habits of Highly Effective people by Stephen R Covey costs `250 in Telugu, but the English version is priced at `750,” he explained.
Anna Rao, an avid reader of Telugu books, said that English books translated into Telugu make it easier for people to understand them. “I can read the same book faster, and finish it sooner if I read it in Telugu,” he said.
“People from some places are not very fluent in English. Translated versions give them a chance to read and understand the book better. Moreover, reading Telugu books also helps bring one closer to the language, as most people concentrate only on English now-a-days,” degree student R Pavitra said.
A number of non-resident Indians too have turned to reading books in their regional language. In-charge of Visalandhra Book Store P Narasimha pointed out that this was one of the main reasons for the increase in sales. “Many buy such books for the purpose of gifting while others find it more comfortable to read in their mother tongue,” he said.