Jyrgalbek Ajimatov is the patriot of Kyrgyz language. He translates Hollywood movies into Kyrgyz by his own strength. Also Jyrgalbek is the first to gloss the Kyrgyz-English phraseological dictionary. Jyrgalbek translates everything at home using his computer; his translations of foreign movies and cartoons are very popular among the population of Osh Province. “Why can not our Kyrgyz families watch movies in native language being at their own home?” – protests the young translator. This is the main subject of the interview of “Azattyk” with Jyrgalbek.

Reporter: - Whether translation of foreign movies your hobby or source of income?

J. Ajimatov: - I can not say that my translations are source of income. You know yourself that, the overwhelming majority of Southern region population watches Uzbek channels. I can not remember that they (Uzbek channels) ever broadcasted movies in Russian or English. On the other hand our national television broadcasts 90 percent of movies in Russian language. Why we can not watch foreign movies in our native language? Why we can not translate them? We can. All we need is desire for it. My primary goal is not professional translation but translation of main thoughts and ideas of Kyrgyzstan’s favorite foreign movies in native language.

Reporter: You come from ordinary family…How have you obtained translation equipment and money to release your translated films?

J. Ajimatov: To be honest the translation of films demands the professional equipment. As soon as I have learnt English I had a strong desire to translate all movies from English but I didn’t have even an ordinary personal computer. Purchase of the equipment was a great financial challenge for me. Friends lent me some money and later I bought computer from my relatives.

Reporter: Jyrgalbek, how long does it take for you to translate a movie?

J. Ajimatov: Well, at the moment I am translating the third part of Jackie Chan’s movie “Rush hour”. In average translation of one part takes no longer than four months. If I had all necessary equipment, a specialized studio and a few assistants, the translation of one movie would take a month at the most. At the moment I work alone, translate and dub on my own.

Reporter: Osh TV channels, which broadcast in Uzbek, have been complaining few years now on the absence of movies in Kyrgyz language. Did any of these channels offer cooperation to you?

J. Ajimatov: Yes, I had such proposals. I offered them my translated movies but the channel administration refused it because of the absence of some legal documents.

Reporter: In this case do you hold any Copyright and what kind of legal documents are necessary?

J.Ajimatov: There is no idea about Copyright in our country. Do our local TV channels, such as NTKR and ELTR, ask permission from Hollywood producers to broadcast their movies? It will take many years for us to start acting in accordance with our own legislation. I do not believe that Copyright can be protected in Kyrgyzstan.

Reporter: You have translated a great number of movies and cartoons; did you gain any profit from your hobby?

J. Ajimatov: Not at all. I translate movies and give them to my friends and family; further they are disseminated among the population, I have no idea in what manner. I do not complain about it, on the contrary I realize that there is a demand for the translated movies among our people. I do not need profit, but I want our audience could watch and understand Hollywood movies in Kyrgyz language. I do not need anything else.

“Azttyk Plus” spoke with Mr. Ulan Melisbek, the Chairman of the State Patent Service, about Copyright protection issues in Kyrgyzstan and this specific case.

U. Melisbek: I support the idea of foreign movie translation entirely and clearly realize that one of the sore points in Kyrgyzstan is rapid fall in number of Kyrgyz population in the South. I have to admit some omissions in the solution methods and also admit policy gaps. Foreign Copyright as well as local Copyright both do require permission for dissemination.

For example if we shoot a movie in Kyrgyzstan. What would we do if somebody abroad without permission did what he/she wanted with it? Naturally we would oppose it. We should follow the international laws, agreements and legal acts, if we want to be a civilized state not just called.

Reporter: What should Ajimatov do in order to legalize his actions?

U. Melisbek: First of all he should write an official letter to the Copyright owners. In my opinion, if Jyrgalbek will explain the situation in Kyrgyzstan and describe specific problems, namely lack of finance, at presence of his great desire to translate movies into Kyrgyz language and will ask to provide him with necessary commissions for free, he will not be left without support.

Reporter: What could be the prosecution for suspects in Copyright violation in Kyrgyzstan?

U. Melisbek: At the moment the administrative fine is around 2 thousand soms. Infringing CDs are confiscated. Later those CDs are sent for an examination. Following the results of the examination the Financial Police directs the case to the Judicial Department. After court decision the confiscated goods are destroyed.

- Thank you for the interesting interview.

Janarbek Akayev, Edil Saparbek
In the photo: Jyrgalbek Ajimatov in his studio

http://www.azattyk.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Culture_Cinema/1773759.html?spec=2