Department of Kiswahili Language and Linguistics

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Browsing Department of Kiswahili Language and Linguistics by Author "Malangwa, Pendo Salu"

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    CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATING CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS IN TEACHING KISWAHILI TO FOREIGNERS
    (TUKI, UNiversity of Dar es Salaam, 2017) Malangwa, Pendo Salu
    One of the methods employed in teaching a foreign language is the grammar translation method (Chang, 2011). In teaching Kiswahili to foreigners, teachers use translations from Kiswahili into English and vice versa. However, the common trend in the application of this approach is that teachers usually translate vocabulary and phrases from Kiswahili into English. Since Kiswahili and English vary grammatically, culturally and in terms of terminological developments (Malangwa, 2010), translating Kiswahili cultural expressions into English reveals a serious challenge. There is always a problem of obtaining equivalents for the cultural expressions in the target language. To make the learning process successful, teachers employ descriptive, literal and communicative techniques to translate certain expressions in their Kiswahili classes and in the teaching materials. However, certain concepts are hardly captured in these translations and, consequently, they have multiple or varied equivalents. This article attempts to discuss the challenges of translating Kiswahili cultural expressions in the Kiswahili classrooms and textbooks as well as other materials available for learning. The aim here is to expose the cultural variations between the two languages and the techniques used to handle such challenges. The data for this article has been collected through interviews and documentary reviews and is analyzed using a comparative technique whereas Kiswahili cultural expressions are presented parallel with their proposed English equivalents. The cultural expressions observed are presented under the following sub-headings: a) greetings expressions, b) food and drinks terms, c) kinship terms, d) expressions related to social practice and e) political expressions. It has been concluded through this study that these are the common categories of cultural expressions observed in teaching Kiswahili to foreigners. As a common practice, teachers, while teaching and in the training manuals, apply descriptive and literal translation techniques to handle none equivalent cultural expressions. Despite the application of these techniques, there are problems observed in the translations offered.
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    Mabadiliko ya Maana ya Kitenzi Kata katika Lugha ya Kiswahili
    (TUKI, University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Malangwa, Pendo Salu; Kibiki, Magreth J
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    Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere1 as an African rewriter: The case of Kiswahili creative translations and rewritings
    (University of Namibia, 2012) Malangwa, Pendo Salu
    Rewriting, in the narrow sense, is the presentation of works of literature to suit various ideological and poetological ends; it refers to the written process of changing genres. In the broader sense, it includes all forms of transforming a text from one culture or text type to another. In that sense, rewriting places the production and reception of literature within the wider framework of culture and history. Translation is one form of rewriting; it transforms a text written in one source language into another target language. States or their leaders can use rewritings for cultural, political, economical and ideological purposes. JK Nyerere used rewriting as a tool for ideological, social and Cultural Revolution. Moreover, he used rewriting as a technique of mobilizing and influencing his society towards appreciating religious doctrine and African socialism. This paper examines some of JK Nyerere's …
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    Overcoming the barriers through literal and descriptive translations: Examples of Kanga names
    (UNAM, 2012) Malangwa, Pendo Salu
    Kanga names are presented using Swahili pithy sayings, riddles and proverbs. The names communicate the culture and philosophy of the Swahili people, especially those dwelling along the coast of the Indian Ocean, their perceptions on women and the way women view themselves. There are attempts to translate these texts from Kiswahili into English for various reasons. Since the texts are cultivated in the Swahili culture and philosophy, establishing equivalents in English is a major challenge. Translators of such texts apply some techniques to achieve their objectives. This paper appreciates the application of literal and descriptive translations in translating these cultural expressions.
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    THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CROSS-FERTILISATION PRACTICES IN KISWAHILI TECHNICAL AND SPECIALISED TRANSLATIONS
    (University of Namibia, 2017-01-01) Malangwa, Pendo Salu
    As opposed to interpreters of verbal communication, translators of written texts have ample time for con-sulting, revising, reviewing, discussing, weighing and editing. That means cross-fertilisation with fellow translators, speakers of the language, subject experts, clients as well as text reviewers and/or editors helps them improve the translation process and minimize errors in the final translation. This paper is a practical study of English – Kiswahili translations aimed at showing that collaborative efforts across individuals, organisations, and institutions both locally and internationally can improve the overall translation process and product. The data for this study was collected through observation, documentary review as well as through interview and was then analysed through a comparative method. The discussion draws experience from legal and technical (i.e. computer and web-based) translation into Kiswahili, and further emphasizes that there are areas of improvement in Kiswahili translation and training for time and cost effectiveness. The paper argues that despite the importance of cross-fertilisation in the translation process, Kiswahili translators need to improve their expertise to include specialisations in certain fields