UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION
PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING
MA GRADUATES 2013
TITLE PAGES AND ABSTRACTS
TRANSLATING CONNECTIVES FROM FRENCH INTO ENGLISH: CHALLENGES
AND STRATEGIES
MERCY W. RURII
C50/75682/2012
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE
AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN TRANSLATION
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATIOIN & INTERPRETATION
OCTOBER 2013
ABSTRACT
Connectives, while important in establishing textual cohesion, present certain challenges when
translating from French to English. While French is replete with connectives, English is very
restrictive and uses them less often. However, what strategies can be used in translation to
overcome the challenges presented by this difference is not apparent in literature. By utilizing
three texts I two different genres, two of these translated by the researcher for this study, and one
already translated, this study fills the gap left in the literature by examining strategies that can be
used in translating French connectives into English. It also identifies which connectives would be
more amenable to which strategy and in which linguistic context.
Connectives were grouped into the grammatical categories to which they belong (adverbs and
adverbials, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns), their functional categories (opposition,
emphases, causation, explanation etc.) and the linguistic contexts in which they are found (initial
and medial). The data suggest that connectives in the medial position are more likely to be
omitted than those in the initial position. In addition, due to the difference in use connectives will
be translated directly, change grammatical and functional categories, change their position, will
use circumlocution minimally, or will be omitted altogether by elimination or by punctuation
which can be used in their stead.
CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATING GREETING ROUTINES FROM SWAHILI TO
ENGLISH: A CASE STUDY OF “KIFO KISIMANI” AND “MAUA KWENYE JUA LA
ASUBUHI”
BY
GABRIEL GITHINJI KIMOTHO
ADM. NO. C50/75798/2012
A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT
OF THE MASTERS OF ART DEGREE.
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION &INTERPRETATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
This project deals with the challenges encountered while translating Swahili greeting routines
into English. We have considered the Swahili literally works of Kithaka Wa Mberia; Kifo
Kisimani and its translation, Death by the Well, as well as Maua kwenye jua la Asubuhi and its
translation Flowers by the Morning Sun. The main purpose of the study was to find out the
politeness in Swahili greetings and the intended meaning is lost through translation.
Chapter One, is an introductory chapter that focuses on the background of the study, statement of
the problem, hypothesis, significance of the study, scope and limitation, theoretical framework,
literature review and methodology.
Chapter two, deals with the challenges of translating greeting routines. We look at the structures
of English greetings and partings as a conventional component.
Chapter Three, looks at overcoming the challenges found in the above chapter. It looks at real
time greetings and all time greetings. It also looks at the problem of equivalence.
Chapter Four , looks at the data collection. Data has been collected from Kifo Kisimani and
Maua Kwenye Jua la Asubuhi and their translation; Death by the Well and Flowers by the
Morning Sun. These are works of Kithaka Wa Mberia.
Chapter Five, is focused on the politeness theory and greeting routines. We shall check whether
politeness is lost when translating greetings routines, from Swahili to English.
Chapter Six, gives the conclusion of our research in the challenges of translating greetings and
we also give our recommendations.
FACE THREATENING ACTS AND THEIR MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN
RELATION TO TRANSLATION
BY
MWANGI RICHARD GICHUKI
C50/75633/2013
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN TRANSLATION
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
This study deals with face threatening acts and their mitigation strategies in relation to
translation. It focuses on threats to positive face and threats to negative face in English context
and how they can be successfully transferred to Kiswahili context.
Chapter one has stated the research problem together with objectives and hypothesis. The scope
and limitations of the study have been highlighted together with rationale and a comprehensive
description of face theory. Literature reviewed has been stated together with research
methodology used in the study.
Chapter two has dealt with definition of terms related to face threatening acts (FTA’S). It has
also explained in detail classification of face threatening acts (FTA’S) and the factors affecting
weightiness of an FTA.
Chapter three has explained in details, the face threatening acts to both positive face and negative
face in English context and their mitigation strategies citing examples form Merchant of Venice
and Corinthians. It has also explained the face threatening acts to both positive and negative face
in Kiswahili context citing examples from Mabepari wa Venisi and Wakorinitho wa Kwanza.
Chapter four
has dealt with Face threatening acts (FTA’S) and translation, difficulties in
translating face threatening acts from English to Kiswahili context and also impact of politeness
system of a language on FTA’S and their mitigation strategies.
Chapter five has the summary of research findings, remark on hypothesis, conclusion and
recommendation for further research.
LITERARY AND UNTRANSLATIONAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE
TRANSLATION OF THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR FROM ENGLISH TO
KISWAHILI
BY
EILEEN MWENDWA MUTWIRI
C50/76088/2012
A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
AWARD OF A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN TRANSLATION UNIVERSITY OF
NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to examine the literary and untranslational complications in
the translation of the Government Inspector from English to Kiswahili. the study was guided by
the following research objectives: to examine how language and culture affect the translation of
the Government Inspector from English to Kiswahili; to establish how terminology development
affects its translation; to find out how the target audience affects the translation; to examine how
untranslatability affects the translation from English to Kiswahili. The study employed a
qualitative research approach. Document analysis was used in this study to collect data from the
English and Kiswahili texts of the Government Inspector and Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali which
were used as the main documents. The collected data was analyzed using qualitative approach of
data analysis. From the analysis the following conclusions were made: While the translator
endeavored to translate the Government Inspector, there were language and cultural elements
that could not be adequately captured. The translation to some extent tries to reach the target
audience mainly African governments regimes but as it is rooted in the culture and context in
which they arise, literal translation of the ST, hence it did not result in a similar response from
the TL audience. The various untranslatable elements in the Government Inspector bearing in
mind that its setting is based on Russian context, fails to adequately address the issue of
untranslatables.
TRANSLATIOIN INADEQUECIES IN THE ENGLISH VERSION OF
KINJEKETILE
BY
AGNES NAFULA KULOBE
C50/75720/2012
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN TRANSLATION
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION.
FACULTY OF ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER, 2013
ABSTRACT
This project investigated the inadequacies made by translators in translating literal texts with
specific reference to the English Version of Kinjekitile and their effects on the target text.
We investigated inadequacies that occur when translating a text from Kiswahili to English.
These include: omissions, which occurs when a given text segment of the ST and the information
it contains cannot be traced in the TT. Such omissions can occur on all language levels;
morphological, syntactic, semantic and stylistic or rhetorical level. Additions or gains as
translation inadequacies were investigated. A translator lengthens a text by introducing stylistic
elements and information that are not in the source text to the target text. These additions are
done to fill elliptic expressions, change grammatical category, add connectors or amplify the
implicit to explicit and their effect on the TT.
We also investigate how proper names are translated from the ST to the TT and their effect on
the target audience.
Lastly, we looked at the translation inadequacies that occur in translating onomatopoeia and
similes and their effect on the TT.
We applied the qualitative methods to analyze the inadequacies caused by omissions, additions,
names and onomatopoeia in translating the English Version of Kinjeketile.
The main objective of this project is to investigate and provide a comprehensive analysis of the
translation inadequacies in a literary text.
The project consists of five chapters. Chapter one deals with the introductory elements of the
study which include the introduction, the background, statement of the problem, research
objectives, research questions, significance of the study, scope limitation, theoretical framework,
literature review, research methods and the conclusion.
Chapter two deals with the analysis of translation inadequacies in the English Version of
Kijeketile.
This chapter is divided into four sub-chapters namely, addition and omission as an inadequacy,
translation of names, and translation of onomatopoeia and similes in the translated version of
Kinjeketile.
Chapter three focuses on the factors that contribute to the coming up of the translation
inadequacies and their effect on the intended message and the target text audience.
Chapter four suggests possible solutions or strategies on how to eradicate the inadequacies.
Chapter five concludes the project, and gives recommendation for further research.
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF TRANSFERRING A WRITER’S WORLD
VIEW: A CASE STUDY OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS
INTO DHOLUO
By
SUZANNE Z. KOTENG
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of
Degree of Master of Arts in Translation, University Of Nairobi
2103
ABSTRACT
This study addresses the challenges of transferring the writer’s world view from a source
audience to the target audience, especially in cultural themed matters as I take as my case study
the translation of the book of Leviticus into Dholuo. This study is aware that bible translators of
the issue of world view and how to establish equivalence at the world view level. Is also looks
into the recent happenings in the Bible Translation world with the advent of the digital world and
care and steps that are taken to give the best translation while acknowledging the infallibility of
man. Relevance theory and the search for equivalence and contextual clues dominate this
research. For the source text, King James Version and Good News Bible and the latest version of
Dholuo Bible was used in identify portions and expressions in the source text of Leviticus which
suggest a significant world view element from the source culture and numbering them. It also
involved identification of equivalent expression of the target text. These were analyzed to
establish whether any efforts were made by the translators to establish the equivalence at the
world view level. The author of this study is cognizant of the fact that translation methods have
gone hi-tech with the digital age but when the edition of the Dholuo bible was being translated,
the methodology would have been more prone to error.
TOPIC AND FOCUS ENTITIES IN GERMAN AND ENGLISH UTTERANCES:
MISMATCHES AND TRANSLATION CHALLENGES.
BY
DORCAS WANGUI CEGE
A PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE, CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION AND
INTERPRETATION, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI.
OCTOBER 2013
ABSTRACT
This study is concerned with a syntactic comparative analysis of information structure entities
called topic and focus in German and English. Data for analysis has been extracted from two
literary books namely “Das Leben kommt immers dazwischen” and its transaltion in English
entitled, “And Then Life Happens”.
The study has used the conceptual framework developed by Knud Lambrecht on topic and focus
with the aim of seeking a better and in-depth understanding of the two notions. This provides a
good background for comparing the way topic and focus are presented in German and English
and their role in syntactic structures.
The study is organized into five chapters. Chapter one gives the introduction and the aspects that
are discussed here include; background to the study, statement of the problem, objectives,
hypothesis, rationale, scope and limitations, conceptual framework, literature review,
methodology and significance of the study. A conclusion has also been provided.
In chapter two syntactic mismatches in marked construction in German and English have been
discussed. This provides information on how German codes the accented constituents in
utterances. The way these have been rendered in English has also been displayed with the
objective of highlighting the mismatches that occur in the process of translation.
Chapter three specifically deals with three properties of language namely; dislocation,
contractiveness and use of dummy subjects and how they influence the sequencing of
information nits in a syntactic structure, while also highlighting the differences that appear
between German and English.
Chapter four goes on to share some light on the strategies that may be used for translating noncanonical syntactic structures. Encountered mistranslations have been analyzed and
recommendation given.
Chapter five, the last chapter casts a glance on the whole study in that a brief summary of the
research findings is given. Objectives and hypothesis have been tested, conclusions drawn and
recommendation for further study in this area of syntax has also been made.
SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION OF CULTURE-BOUND REFERENCES: A
CASE STUDY OF A STUDENT INTERPRETER WORKING FROM KISWAHILI INTO
ENGLISH
BY
ANDWATI NELSON ALUKAYA
C50/75596/2012
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE WARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERPRETATION
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
Interpretation involves more than just linguistic mediation; it is about culture mediation as well.
In light of the understanding that language and culture are so closely intertwined that language is
usually seen as a verbal expression of culture, it is worth noting that cultural mediation adds
another layer to the already complex task of interpretation. This study explores the challenge that
culture-bound words and references pose for interpreters working in the simultaneous mode. The
thesis introduces the Skopos theory, its basic concepts, its significance and limitations. The study
also examines cultural differences in simultaneous interpretation in the perspective of the Skopos
theory.
The study then presents and describes the strategies used by interpreters in solving cultural
problems in interpretation. Finally, the study discusses how Skopos theory can help interpreters
adopt flexibility in dealing with culture-bound references to fulfill the Skopos of the target
audience
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE-BOUND TERMS IN INTERPRETING:
CHALLENGES AND EFFECTS
BY
NDICHU RACHAEL NYAMBURA
A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR
THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN INTERPRETATION
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
NOVEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
This study set out to find out if interpreters faced any challenges while interpreting figurative
language and culture-bound terms and the strategies they use. The key objective of this study
was to investigate how figurative language and culture-bound terms were interpreted and if that
had any impact on effective interpretation. This study was driven by a need to find out how
interpreters rendered by message that was not said literally and words which were unique to
certain culture, as is the case in figurative equivalence and culture-bound terms. This study was
guided by the theory of dynamic equivalence also known as functional theory. It was initiated
through giving two speeches, one in Kiswahili and the other one in English, to qualified
interpreters. Then the interpretations given were analyzed to see how the interpreters had tackled
figurative language and culture-bound terms and if it had any impact on effective interpretation.
The research established that interpreting figurative language and culture-bound terms posed a
big challenge to interpreters. The study also found that the way figurative language and culturebound terms were interpreted had an impact on effective interpretation. These findings unearth a
need to try and come up with clear strategies to use when interpreting figurative language and
culture-bound terms. This will ensure anything communicated using the two is not lost in
interpretation. Such strategies can be passed to training interpreters.
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
CENTRE FOR TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION
PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING
PhD GRADUATE 2013 (STAFF)
ABSTRACT
SOCIOLINGUISTIC CHANGE IN ELMOLO AS A DYING LANGUAGE
BY ERICK OMONDI ODERO (PhD), DECEMBER 2013
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the sociolinguistic status of the Elmolo language considering its apparent
condition as a language threatened by death and extinction from the onslaught of the
neighbouring dominant Samburu language. Cross-cultural marriages, migration and other social
and economic factors were also seen to influence the observed sociolinguistic changes. The
Elmolo people reside in the south east shores of Lake Turkana in Loiyangalani division,
Laisamis district, Samburu County of the Eastern province of Kenya. With a total population of
about 700 people (BTL, 2007, 2008), the Elmolo are considered as one of Kenya’s smallest
communities. The Elmolo language is classified in the larger Eastern Cushitic group of
languages and is closely related to the Albore, Somali, Bran, Rendille, and Dasaanach languages
(Sasse, 1974). The study investigated the sociolinguistic changes evidenced by shift in domain
use and decrease in the number of users, and their possible contributions to the threatened status
of the Elmolo language. The study also investigated the relevance of gender, geography, poverty
levels, and age to the observed sociolinguistic changes. While the study recognized that the death
of a language could be a consequence of multiple factors, it was delimited to the sociolinguistic
factors that contributed to the threatened status of Elmolo. The Graded Intergenerational
Disruption Scale (GIDS) proposed by Fishman (1990, 1991) and the Indicators of
Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory (EVT) proposed by Landweer (2000) are the main theoretical
approaches used in the study. The eclectic approach was informed by the individual
contributions of each of the theories in addressing the objectives of the study. The GIDS was
used to determine the sociolinguistic status of the Elmolo language given its explicit description
of characteristics of languages in its typology. The EVT was used to explain what was happening
to the Elmolo community and how it influenced the language use patterns among the Elmolo
people. Although not used in the study, the researcher was aware of many other relevant theories
such as the Gaelic-Arvantika Model of Language Death (GAM), proposed by Sasse (1992). This
model provides tools to determine the influence that the External Settings (ES) have on the
Speech Behaviour (SB) of a community resulting in particular Structural Consequences (SC)
affecting their language(s). An integrated approach using both quantitative and qualitative data
was adopted in the study. The analysed data indicate that Elmolo is demonstrably in an acute
path of death that may also subsequently lead to its extinction. It was observed that there was
lack of intergenerational transfer of the language from the older to the younger generations, lack
of documented materials in the language and a very low prestige value of the language among its
would be speakers and the neighbouring communities. The study recommends detailed
phonological, morphological and syntactic studies of the Elmolo language. These are viewed as
having the capacity to enhance possible reconstruction and documentation of the language
coupled with advocacy for revitalization and maintenance.