Questions on research and translation studies in Africa

1
Questions on research and translation studies in
Africa

• Margaret J. Muthwii
• mmuthwii_at_ubs-afrsc.org
• CETRA 2005

2
Two questions from CETRA 2005

• How can translation be seen as a sharing of power
  ?
• How can the immense data confronting me in the
  projects I work with be used to further research
  in translation studies?

3
What for this research?

• This is research I intend to start up. It is not
  for a PhD but a continuation into research as
  relates and links to my previous works and
  current occupation.
• Goal toward writing a paper (s) for a
  journal/chapter(s) for edited volume (s) and
  will be a keystone to a larger project book???

4
Introduction

• multilingualism is the norm in Africa
• What kinds of multilingualism? the relationship
  between international language, local languages,
  regional language
• How does the governing talk to the governed? How
  do people talk back (if ever?) How do the many
  language groups speak to one another? In
  education? etc

5
The argument

• kinds of translation and interpreting
• What policy, political and legal frameworks
  exist?
• What comparisons with other multilingual areas.

6
Bible Translations in Kenya

• Bible Translations in Kenya Two main
  organizations BSK BTL/SIL
• Who translates? -presently native speakers of the
  languages do the translation.
• several projects in various African languages
• How can the immense data confronting me in the
  projects I work with be used to further research
  in translation studies?

7
Translation History (1)

• A look at the Gikuyu
• Kikamba, Lulogooli, Kimeru
• Kalenjin
• Kiembu-Kimbeere, Lukakamega, Oluluyia,
  Lubukusu, Pökot
• Where are these languages/communities now with
  regards to their Bible translation history?

8
Kenyas language map

• What role have these translations played in the
  social and linguistic mapping of communities?
• E.g.
• Kalenjin
• Kiembu-Kimbeere
• Lukakamega-Lutirichi
• Oluluyia.

9
Reader Response

• the cases of
• Lulogooli (Wangia)
• Kimeru (Kinoti)
• Kiswahili (Kinoti)
• Kikamba (Mbiti)
• Kalenjin (the Kalenjin leadership)