One of the things I truly love about myself is the kind of person I strive to be every day. I am kind-hearted and always try to approach others with compassion. I work hard, not because I have to, but because I believe in giving my best in everything I do. Humility is something I carry with pride I never see myself above anyone else, and I genuinely respect everyone around me. I believe in treating people with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are. I’m someone who keeps their word when I say something, I mean it. My sincerity shows in the way I commit to things. I’m meticulous with my work, paying attention to the small details because I know they matter. I am determined, and even when things get difficult, I don’t give up. These qualities don’t just make me who I am they’re what I truly love about myself.

Description of the topic you chose and why

I have chosen the topic “The Sacred Dwells in the Forest” to share the story of Nyu Numfing and the sacred tree Sumbrang Kung, planted in my village Lingthem. This story holds deep meaning for me and my community, as it speaks of our ancestral wisdom, spiritual connection with nature, and the silent guardianship that still lives among us. According to our elders, Nyu Numfing an important ancestral figure planted the Sumbrang Kung tree as a living protector of Lingthem village during the threat of Gorkha invasions. More than just a tree, it is believed to be a sacred prophecy an embodiment of protection, strength, and spiritual guidance. To this day, the tree stands not only as a witness to our past but as a symbol of the forest’s sacred power and the unbreakable bond between our people and the land. Through this story, I hope to honor our heritage, remind us of the forest’s spirit, and share the sacredness that still breathes quietly in the heart of Lingthem. Furthermore, it speaks to the sacred connection between nature, ancestry, and protection. It reminds us that the forest is not just a physical space, but a sacred one where stories, spirits, and symbols of strength reside. Through this story, I want to highlight the importance of preserving both our oral traditions and our natural heritage. In telling this tale, I hope to honor the deep wisdom of our ancestors and awaken a renewed respect for the sacred dwellings that still live in the heart of our forests.

Why do you speak this language and work around the language?

I speak the Lepcha language because it speaks for me before I even introduce myself, it already tells the world where I come from, who I am, and what I carry in my heart. I speak it because it holds the voices of my ancestors, the wisdom of my people, and the soul of my land. It is not just a language I use it is a language I live. I work around this language because it is my responsibility and my honor. I want to keep it alive, not only for myself but for the generations yet to come. I want our children to hear the same sounds our elders once spoke with pride. Every small effort I make whether it’s writing, translating, or sharing stories feels like watering the roots of a sacred tree that must never be allowed to dry. Through this language, I connect with my identity and offer that connection to others. I work with Lepcha because I believe that in every word, there is strength. In every preserved sentence, there is survival. In every shared story, there is pride. This work is not a duty it’s love. A love for who we are, where we come from, and who we still can be. That is why I speak Lepcha. That is why I work for it. Because this language is not just mine it is ours, and it deserves to live on, with dignity and pride.

What interested you most about working on translations of Lepcha to English and English to Lepcha?

What drew me most to working on Lepcha to English and English to Lepcha translations is the deep sense of purpose it carries. Translation, for me, is not just about changing words from one language to another it’s about carrying the soul of a culture across a bridge. When I work with Lepcha, I’m not just translating language I’m translating identity, memory, and meaning. What inspires me is the beauty and depth of the Lepcha language how it holds centuries of indigenous wisdom, spiritual beliefs, oral history, and intimate connection with nature. Translating it into English allows me to share that richness with the world, making sure our stories and philosophies are seen, heard, and understood beyond our own community. On the other hand, translating from English to Lepcha helps strengthen our own linguistic base making knowledge, education, and opportunities more accessible to Lepcha speakers. This work allows me to serve as a voice between worlds, and that is something I hold with great pride and responsibility. It is not just a task it is a way of preserving my roots while opening windows for others to see the beauty of our language. Every translation feels like a small step toward honoring my culture, and ensuring it lives on, strong and bright.

What were the challenges of the translation work?

One of the most significant challenges I faced while working on English to Lepcha translation was encountering modern or advanced English words that have no direct equivalent in our Lepcha language. Words related to technology, science, global politics, or modern institutions often do not exist in traditional Lepcha vocabulary, which was shaped by a close connection to nature, spirituality, and community life. This creates a sensitive task, how do I stay true to the meaning of the original text while also respecting the natural rhythm and essence of the Lepcha language? In many cases, I have to look for creative ways either by describing the concept using existing Lepcha terms or by coining new words that still feel authentic to our language. But this is not always easy. It requires deep cultural understanding, careful thought, and often consultation with elders, linguists, or other community members. Another challenge is preserving the emotional tone and cultural depth of a phrase. Sometimes a simple English sentence carries cultural meanings that can easily be lost in translation or vice versa. I have learned that translation is not just about words, but about intention, feeling, and context. Yet, these challenges have also made the work more meaningful. They remind me how vital it is to continue developing and preserving our language so that it can grow and meet the needs of the present while staying rooted in our ancestral past.

What made you feel good about the translation work?

What made me feel truly good about doing translation work was the sense that I was contributing something meaningful to my community and to the life of our language. Each time I translated a word, a sentence, or any writings from English to Lepcha or vice versa. I felt like I was building a bridge between worlds.

It gave me a deep sense of pride knowing that I was helping preserve the beauty, wisdom, and spirit of our language, while also making it more accessible to others. It felt especially rewarding when I could find the right Lepcha words to express a complex idea or feeling almost like uncovering hidden treasures within our own language. I also felt good knowing that my work could help the younger generation connect with their roots and give others a new appreciation for the richness of Lepcha culture.

Translation gave me the chance to engage deeply with my identity. It made me feel more connected to who I am, where I come from, and what I stand for. Most of all, it felt like I was doing something that matters not just for now, but for the future of our language and our people.

What was the hardest word or sentence you translated and how did you go about finding the meaning behind the word?

One of the hardest words I had to translate was a modern English concept that doesn’t exist in the traditional Lepcha vocabulary for example, words like “conference”, “sustainability”, “digital rights”, “monetization”, “transliteration” etc. These words carry layered meanings and are rooted in global systems or technologies that are unfamiliar in the context of our indigenous lifestyle and language.

Translating such words wasn’t just difficult it felt like walking a thin line between being faithful to the original meaning and remaining true to the spirit of Lepcha. In those moments, I didn’t rush. I spent time reflecting, researching, and most importantly, talking with elders, linguists, and fluent speakers. I tried to understand not just what the word meant in English, but what its essence was what values, feelings, and intentions it carried. Often, I found that instead of using one single word, the meaning could be expressed through a phrase or descriptive sentence in Lepcha. Sometimes, I had to create a new word inspired by Lepcha roots, something that felt natural and respectful to our language’s rhythm and form.

That process of struggling, seeking, and finally discovering a way to express the meaning it was hard, but also the most beautiful part of the journey. It reminded me that language is alive, and through translation, we are not only preserving but also gently evolving it.

Why is translation meaningful to you?

Translation is deeply meaningful to me because it is more than just changing words it is about carrying the heart of one language into another without losing its soul. As a Lepcha, I see translation as a powerful tool to preserve, protect, and pass on the richness of my culture. It allows our stories, our beliefs, and our unique worldview to be understood beyond our community, while also bringing global knowledge into our language in a respectful and rooted way.

Every time I translate something into Lepcha, I feel like I am giving life to the language again keeping it alive, relevant, and growing. It helps connect generations those who still speak Lepcha fluently, and those who are just beginning to rediscover it. And when I translate from Lepcha into English, I feel proud to share our voice with the wider world telling them, we are here, we have a history, a language, and a story that matters. Translation, for me, is both an act of love and resistance. Love for my identity, my roots, and my people and resistance against forgetting, against silence, and against losing who we are. That is why it will always be meaningful to me.