Translation (Sanskrit ↔ Assamese/English)
What the exam tests
Translation (Sanskrit ↔ Assamese/English) tests accurate transfer of meaning, not word-for-word substitution. You must resolve sandhi and compounds, map vibhaktis to target-language syntax, keep tense and number, and choose idiomatic equivalents.
Core rules
- First do anvaya: rearrange the Sanskrit sentence into subject–object–verb order and identify the main verb.
- Split compounds and restore omitted vibhaktis before translating.
- Map cases by function: nominative agent, accusative object, instrumental means, dative purpose, ablative source, genitive possession, locative locus.
- Upasargas change verbal meaning; translate the prefixed verb as a unit.
Worked example
रामः फलं खादति. Anvaya: rāmaḥ (nominative subject) phalam (accusative object) khādati (present, third singular). English: Rama eats a fruit. Assamese: ৰামে ফল খায়। The Assamese transitive subject takes -e, while the object remains unmarked; the verb agrees with the subject. A literal Rama fruit eats is wrong in English word order.
Traps
Do not translate a compound member by member. Do not ignore dual or plural. Do not render an upasarga literally when it is idiomatic. In Assamese, check whether the verb needs a transitive subject marker; in English, supply articles and normal tense.