Categories of Shifts in the Translation of the English Holy Bible (New International Version) into Dholuo Bible: Muma Maler Mar Nyasaye (1976)

Authors

  • Colleta Akoth Owino Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
  • Benard Mudogo Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
  • David Barasa Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
  • Rose Auma Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46991/TSTP/2024.4.1.024

Keywords:

English Holy Bible, Dholuo, categories of shifts, religious texts

Abstract

This paper describes the categories of shifts in the translation of the English Holy Bible; New International Version (NIV) into Dholuo Bible Muma Maler mar Nyasaye (1976). The aim is to evaluate the relevance of the translator’s style in rendering a religious text into the target language and the overall implication on the translation theory and practice. The data is collected through document analysis and Focus Group Discussions. We analyzed forty rank shifted segments purposively from six books from the source and target text based on the Relevance Theory by Sperber & Wilson (1986). The analysis is limited to rank-shifting at the level of clauses utilized in the source language which is translated into the target language. The data is analyzed using content analysis and descriptive method. The following categories of shifts are identified; structure shifts, unit shifts, class shifts and intra-system shifts. This study offers insight to bible translators to understand that since shifts are unavoidable in translation, they should aim to produce a target text that is as accurate and precise as possible to guard against loss of meaning. To do this, translators must understand the original source text and transfer it faithfully and accurately. Moreover, bible translators must understand the context of both the source text and the target text since context plays a great role in rendering translation.

Author Biographies

Colleta Akoth Owino, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Master’s student at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya; holder of B.Ed. in English Language and Literature. Her research interests include translation and interpretation.

Benard Mudogo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

PhD, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics specializing in translation and mediated communication and research in literacy and communication knowledge for development. He has worked with various organizations in the areas of translation and early grade literacy, communication and policy development and capacity building of English language teachers. 

David Barasa, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

PhD,  Senior  Lecturer  in  Linguistics  and  Communication  Skills  at  the Masinde  Muliro University  of  Science  and  Technology  in  Kenya.  His  research  interests lie  in  the  fields  of linguistics   and   communication   studies with   special   reference   to   phonology, morphology,  language  documentation,  language  policy  analysis,  language  contact  and variation and multilingualism.

Rose Auma, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

PhD, Senior Lecturer in French.  Her areas of academic interest include French as a foreign language, foreign language pedagogy, language acquisition, verbal interaction, curriculum development as well as initial and continued training of teachers of French. She currently serves as the Ag. Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS).

References

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Published

2024-06-27

How to Cite

Akoth Owino, C., Mudogo, B., Barasa, D., & Auma, R. (2024). Categories of Shifts in the Translation of the English Holy Bible (New International Version) into Dholuo Bible: Muma Maler Mar Nyasaye (1976). Translation Studies: Theory and Practice, 4(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.46991/TSTP/2024.4.1.024

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Vol. 4, No 1 (7) (2024)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Colleta Akoth Owino, Benard Mudogo, David Barasa, Rose Auma

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