Challenges of Translating Greeting Routines From Swahili to English: a Case Study of “kifo Kisimani” and “maua Kwenye Jua La Asubuhi”

Abstract

This project deals with the challenges encountered while translatingSwahili greeting routines into English. We have considered the Swahili literallyworks 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 if 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, objectives, 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 looks 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, look 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 by Kithaka wa Mberia. Chapter Five, is focused on the politeness theory and greeting routines. We shall checks whether politeness is lost when translating greeting 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.