Shetani msalabani: changamoto katika utafsiri wa methali kutoka lugha ya Kikuyu

Abstract

This research seeks to investigate challenges in proverbs translation in Shetani Msalabani from the original Kikuyu version. The proverbs have been translated from Ngugi wa Thiongo's Kikuyu novel Caaitani Mutharaba-ini. This study is aimed as a contribution to the field of translation in related proverbs. This research has been chosen because proverbs uses metamorphical language and this becomes a challenge to a translator not used to metaphors. Therefore, we want to know if the translator has been successful in translating the message of those proverbs from the original Kikuyu culture to Kiswahili culture. Also, we want to know if the translated Kikuyu proverbs are acceptable in the recipient Kiswahili culture. This research has three objectives; first is to investigate how the translator has translated the message of the proverbs from Kikuyu to Kiswahili language. Second is to examine some of the challenges that a translator faces when translating proverbs from one language to the other. Third is to examine strategies employed to tackle these challenges. This research will be guided by the following questions; firstly, how has the message been translated from the Kikuyu to Kiswahili in the proverbs? Two, which are some of the challenges a translator can faces in translating proverbs from one language to the other? And third, what are the strategies he can employ to tackle those challenges. This research will be guided by the cultural translation theory and semantic translation theory. We will employ qualitative research design that includes design, techniques and measures that do not produce discrete numerical data. In accordance to the research objectives, purposive sampling will be used to select a representative sample of 12 proverbs from the total research data of 137 proverbs. Original proverbs from Kikuyu culture will be selected and they will be a representative sample of 10% of the total research data. The research data will be collected by reading texts related with the research question and objectives and also collecting proverbs related with the research objectives. The field research will be collected through filling questionnaires by the research respondents. The data collected will be analyzed using descriptive method in relation to the research questions, objectives, theoretical guidelines and research boundaries. The research will be presented in a descriptive format from the analyzed data