Baker’s strategies in translation: a lexico-semantic analysis of four luhya dialects; Lukabras, Lwisukha, Luwanga and Lukhayo in informative text

Abstract

There exist numerous strategies of dealing with the problem of Target Language Non-equivalence in the translation of different text types. In this regard, Baker’s proposed strategies for dealing with nonequivalence at the word level have been widely discussed in translation studies. Yet, no studies have ever applied her strategies simultaneously for describing and assessing the functional appropriateness in translating informative texts. This study is an attempt to compare the word-level translation strategies used in an informative text type, based on Baker’s suggested strategies for attaining Target Language Equivalence at the word level. Mulembe FM newscasts being an informative text, was selected for analysis. The main question is whether the translators’ word-level strategies used to attain functional Target Language equivalence in Mulembe FM newscasts can be described and assessed by Baker’s framework or not. To do so, some pre-recorded transcripts from the Luhya Mulembe FM newscasts broadcast by Lukhayo, Luwanga and Lwisukha presenters were selected, and then, they were compared with their corresponding functional equivalent versions of Lukabras listeners. Then, comparisons were classified and analyzed in terms of translating using a superordinate word, using loan word plus explanations, substitution, and using a specific word to find out which strategies were used, and to show the extent of the Target Language functional equivalence in the translation of the newscasts by the presenters. The investigation was motivated by the fact that although the Luhya dialects exhibit vast lexical mismatches, Mulembe FM hiring policy is that the presenters use their dialects in the newscast translation on the assumption that the dialects are mutually intelligible. The study focuses on Lukabras listeners as representatives of Luhya listeners who have to be accommodated in the newscasts. The results showed that Bakers’s procedures are nearly comprehensive and worked well for describing and assessing the translation of informative text.