Punjabi version of Charter to be unveiled

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Punjabi version of Charter to be unveiled Official translation a step in making document available in 35 languages

By KATIE ROOK

Saturday, June 25, 2005 Updated at 10:46 AM EDT

When Manpreet Sodhi came to Canada from India 32 years ago, she couldn't speak a word of English.

The 56-year-old mother of three now works at the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada centre in Scarborough helping new immigrants adapt to a life where asking directions in English can be an overwhelming experience.

Tomorrow, Ms. Sodhi will attend a special ceremony at Gursikh Sabha Canada, her temple, for the unveiling of the first official Punjabi translation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Ms. Sodhi says she hopes the document can be used to help a handful of the Punjabi-speaking students at LINC improve their English and to better understand the principles governing their new country. "Then everyone can read it and understand more."

Jim Karygiannis will unveil the Punjabi translation. The Liberal MP rallied members of the community to translate the document after having organized a translation of the Charter into Greek and Armenian.

Once a translation has been done, it is proofread by the Heritage Department, he said.

"It's important that this is done to get to the communities so the community feels part of the Canadian mainstream. You don't become complete as a community, in my view, until you become a part of what Canada is and the fabric of what is Canada is in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

Mr. Karygiannis said he was inspired to begin pushing for translation when his mother, who speaks Greek, could not read an English version of the Charter.

When all the translations are complete the Charter will be available in about 35 languages, he said. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/freeheadlines/LAC/20050625/CHARTER25/national/National_Toronto