Dhaka, Feb. 28 -- On February 21, the Government of Bangladesh honored Joe Winter - a British educator and poet, with the International Mother Language Award 2025. The award was presented by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at a ceremony held at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital. Born in London in 1943, Joe Winter is renowned for translating the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore and Jibanananda Das into English. His notable translations include 'Gitanjali' and 'Ruposhi Bangla', among a couple of poetry books.

The day Joe Winter received this prestigious accolade from the Bengal of his favourite poets, he spoke with the Dhaka Courier. The conversation features his journey into poetry translation, his experience of working...