Recent research in translation studies has underscored the role of translators as agents. This im... more Recent research in translation studies has underscored the role of translators as agents. This implies that a translator is not just a neutral conduit of a message from one language to another, but someone who is very much involved in the power interplay that determines the decision making leading to the translation product. It is within this context that this paper seeks to analyse the concept of agency in translation with specific focus on African literature in European languages. It is worth mentioning that while this type of literature has been the subject of much research, less attention has been given to it as translation. Focusing on Ferdinand Oyono’s Une Vie de Boy, the paper seeks to show how an understanding of the identity of the translator can throw more light on the appreciation of his translation strategies. It should be observed that translating African culture from one European language to another can be quite a challenging task, especially if the culture is foreign to the translator due to the fact that cultural value systems are difficult to grasp as they are intricately woven into the texture of the native languages (Bandia 2008). Such a task is even more intriguing since the original text is in itself a form of translation, initially conceived in the African language of the author before being rendered into a European language. The agency role of the translator in this case would therefore be more significant given that s/he is dealing with a peculiar source text that is different from most source texts translated between relatively close or non-distant cultures. Through an ethnographic study, which shall involve an exploration of the context of the translation production, as well as an interview with the translator, the paper posits that the translator’s socio-cultural background tends to influence the nature and extent of his intervention in the translation process. This will contribute in shifting the focus of translation assessment from just the product to an inclusion of the translator’s identity.
Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
This paper explores the role Pidgin can play in the linguistic decolonization of English speakin... more This paper explores the role Pidgin can play in the linguistic decolonization of English speaking West African communities. It re-emphasizes the strong need to strive for linguistic independence in West Africa, especially in the domain of Education due to the advantages inherent in such a venture. This need has led to attempts in some countries to replace English with indigenous languages as media of instruction. These attempts have however not been successful as they hardly go beyond primary education, and the failure has been partly due to the problems of adaptation and lack of political will, but most especially because of the rather too wide linguistic diversity of the countries involved. Focusing on the Cameroon example, the paper posits that a codified and harmonized form of Pidgin, which indeed is a West African language, would successfully replace English as a language of education and national integration since it serves as a lingua franca between the different language communities. While recognizing Pidgin as a West African language, the paper will be looking at the advantages of adopting it as a language of education in the English medium educational system in Cameroon.
Recent research in translation studies has underscored the role of translators as agents. This im... more Recent research in translation studies has underscored the role of translators as agents. This implies that a translator is not just a neutral conduit of a message from one language to another, but someone who is very much involved in the power interplay that determines the decision making leading to the translation product. It is within this context that this paper seeks to analyse the concept of agency in translation with specific focus on African literature in European languages. It is worth mentioning that while this type of literature has been the subject of much research, less attention has been given to it as translation. Focusing on Ferdinand Oyono’s Une Vie de Boy, the paper seeks to show how an understanding of the identity of the translator can throw more light on the appreciation of his translation strategies. It should be observed that translating African culture from one European language to another can be quite a challenging task, especially if the culture is foreign to the translator due to the fact that cultural value systems are difficult to grasp as they are intricately woven into the texture of the native languages (Bandia 2008). Such a task is even more intriguing since the original text is in itself a form of translation, initially conceived in the African language of the author before being rendered into a European language. The agency role of the translator in this case would therefore be more significant given that s/he is dealing with a peculiar source text that is different from most source texts translated between relatively close or non-distant cultures. Through an ethnographic study, which shall involve an exploration of the context of the translation production, as well as an interview with the translator, the paper posits that the translator’s socio-cultural background tends to influence the nature and extent of his intervention in the translation process. This will contribute in shifting the focus of translation assessment from just the product to an inclusion of the translator’s identity.
Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
This paper explores the role Pidgin can play in the linguistic decolonization of English speakin... more This paper explores the role Pidgin can play in the linguistic decolonization of English speaking West African communities. It re-emphasizes the strong need to strive for linguistic independence in West Africa, especially in the domain of Education due to the advantages inherent in such a venture. This need has led to attempts in some countries to replace English with indigenous languages as media of instruction. These attempts have however not been successful as they hardly go beyond primary education, and the failure has been partly due to the problems of adaptation and lack of political will, but most especially because of the rather too wide linguistic diversity of the countries involved. Focusing on the Cameroon example, the paper posits that a codified and harmonized form of Pidgin, which indeed is a West African language, would successfully replace English as a language of education and national integration since it serves as a lingua franca between the different language communities. While recognizing Pidgin as a West African language, the paper will be looking at the advantages of adopting it as a language of education in the English medium educational system in Cameroon.
Uploads
Papers