Challenges of translating symbolism, wordplay and repetition in plays, a case study of S. A. Mohamed‟ s “amezidi” and it‟s translation „„he‟s far too much‟‟ by Sarah Weschler and niwaeli kimambo

Abstract

This study explores on the unique challenges of Swahili-English translation. The paper has also attempted to bridge the gap brought about by differences in culture between these two languages. It explores the possibility of compromise between practical concerns related to readability of TT as exactly as the ST reader. This is was has given birth to our topic on challenges that translators dealing with dramatic texts are likely to encounter, as they translate symbolism, wordplay and repetition, in Amezidi and its translation He‟s Far Too Much, and how best they can deal with these challenges which occur at cultural level. The study looks at what is omitted, what is added and what is circumlocuted in the TT in order to bring out the equivalence effect or near equivalence to the target reader in the ST The study also investigates what should be retained, what should be literally translated and what should be changed for the reader of the TT to understand what the author of the source text intends to be understood. Finally the paper looks at strategies that can be employed to deal with such challenge, which may arise as a translator transposes symbolism, wordplay and repetition from Swahili to English. We apply both the qualitative and quantitative method to analyze the said challenges and make conclusions with regard to how symbolism, wordplay and repetition have been dealt with by Weschler S and Kimambo N, in the English version of ―Amezidi”. Our main objective is to identify any ‗mistranslations‘ and look into factors contributing towards these and then make suggestions on how to deal with such challenges. This dissertation consists of five chapters. Chapter one deals with the introductory elements of the study which include the introduction, the background of the study, the statement of the problem research objectives, research questions, significance of the study, scope and limitations, theoretical framework, literature review, research methodology and conclusion. Chapter two on the other hand deals with the analysis of symbolism, wordplay and repetition in the English version of Amezidi. And this chapter is further divided into three sub sections namely definition of terms, how the translators have exhibited wordplay symbolism and wordplay in both TT and ST and the choices they are forced to make or the challenges they may encountered Chapter three focuses on findings and comments on the said findings by highlighting challenges which translators of dramatic texts are likely to encounter as they deal with translating symbolism, wordplay and repetition. Chapter four suggests strategies that translators of dramatic texts can employ in order to deal with the aforesaid challenges. Chapter five concludes the project and suggests recommendations for further research.