Glossary of Major Demographic and Population Terms - English/Urdu

It is generally accepted that English to Urdu translations of demographic words, phrases and terms are not standardised and that different Urdu translations can be found being used for the same English words and phrases in questionnaires, booklets, pamphlets etc. People become used to using their own individual translations. The whole population community; professionals, researchers, program mangers, policy makers, etc. at one time or another need to translate their work in order to disseminate it among Urdu readers. This becomes even more important while preparing questionnaires for field surveys and the IEC materials for service providers.

In an effort to standardise the Urdu translation of demographic terms in English, Population Council undertook the task of creating a Glossary of Major Demographic & Population Terms. We have tried to make this glossary as comprehensive and understandable as possible based on our long experience in conducting field surveys’ preparing IEC material and in transcribing different Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews. This is a pioneering effort and will be up dated and expanded on a regular basis. We would welcome feedback from users. We would also like to explain that this is a glossary of demographic & population terms and not an English to Urdu dictionary. We have given very few choices for each word/phrase/term on the basis of our experience and after consultation with senior professionals as well as surveyors and field teams of the Population Council.

The compiling of this glossary has been a team effort from the Population Council and for that reason it is difficult to pick out individual names. Dr Zeba A. Sathar has been a continuing source of guidance and inspiration in this effort. The contribution of Dr Razzaque A. Rukanuddin has been extremely helpful in completing this glossary. He provided continuous support at various stages of its initial draft. A Review Committee of recognised population professionals was also formed to look at the contents of the glossary critically and help us make it an authentic document. We acknowledge the members of Review Committee; Drs. Safia I. Ameen, Director General Technical (R) Ministry of Population Welfare (MOPW); M. Arshad Mahmood, Director SS&DP, MOPW; Naushin Mahmood, Chief of Research PIDE, Nasser Mohiuddin, Director RHS, MOPW; and, Mr Rashid Khan, Director Communications (R) MOPW,and Mr Khalil A. Siddiqui, Director General M&S (R), MOPW in the finalization of the glossary.

Published by Population Council Pakistan
House 7, St. 62, F-6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ph: 92 51 2277439 Fax: 92 51 2821401
Email: info@pcpak.org
 

For printed copies or more information please contact:

Khurram Shahzad
Information Assistant
Information Resource Center (IRC)
Population Council
Ph: 92 51 2277439
Email: khurram@pcpak.org