The translation of figurative language in the book of proverbs in the ekegusii Bible

Abstract

This study focused on the translation of figurative language in the book of Proverbs in the Ekegusii Bible. The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (2005) defines figurative language as language that is used in a way that is different from the usual meaning in order to create a particular mental picture. There are many forms of figurative language. However, this study focused on the translation of six forms of figurative language. They are: idioms, euphemisms, metaphors, similes, hyperbole and personification. The study identified and described different forms of figurative language in the book of Proverbs in the Bible (Revised Standard Version). It established differences in meaning between figurative expressions in the source text used in this study (RSV) and those in the target text (Ekegusii Bible), and suggested ways of improving the translation of figurative language in the target text. The study was guided by the Interpretive Theory of Translation. The researcher used purposive sampling technique to select one book from the Bible that was used in the study. Data was collected from the selected book using content analysis and from the field using a questionnaire based on sampled verses. Respondents were purposively selected from Kitutu Chache constituency in Kisii Central district. The data was analysed using qualitative techniques. The study used content analysis to analyse the translation of figurative language in the book of Proverbs in the Ekegusii Bible. The findings were: figurative language is literally translated in the book of Proverbs in the Ekegusii Bible, inappropriate words are used in some cases, there is ambiguity and there are inappropriate comparisons due to omission of important objects mentioned in the source text. All these lead to loss of the meaning expressed in the source text. From the findings of the study it was suggested that the translation of figurative language in the book of Proverbs could be improved. This could be done by: using meaning based translation, using appropriate words, eliminating ambiguity and avoiding omission of important objects in comparisons. Besides, the book of Proverbs in the Ekegusii Bible should be reviewed and the reviewers should be trained translators. They should consult Bible Commentaries and modern meaning-based Bible versions, among other relevant reference materials on the Bible, in order to comprehend the meaning of each verse before translating it appropriately.