scholarly journals A Stylistic Analysis of Ṣeun Ògúnfìdítìmí’s Songs

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Temidayo Akinrinlola

Ṣeun Ògúnfìdítìmí is a traditional Yorùbá artiste of Oǹdó extraction. She is a promising and prosperous female artiste, who explores the richness of African values in creating her lyrics. Her songs are rendered in Oǹdó dialect. Oǹdó, a dialect spoken by the Oǹdó people of Southwestern Nigeria, is a dialect of the Yorùbá language. There have been multiple studies on traditional African songs. Such studies have engaged traditional African songs mostly from the non-linguistic perspectives. Such studies have investigated the historical and philosophical values of Yorùbá songs. Studies on songs rendered in dialects of Yorùbá language are very scanty. Dearth of studies in this regard has prevented the propagation and documentation of dialects of Yorùbá language. This study examines the discourse stylistic import of the sociocultural values in Seun Ògúnfìdítìmí’s songs with the view to describing how contextual issues are negotiated in her songs. Recorded songs of Ògúnfìdítìmí constitute the data for the study. The audio compact discs of her songs were collected and played repeatedly. The songs were transcribed and translated into the English language. The translation process took the form of one-to[1]one translation in order to avoid distortion of meaning. The artiste resorts to the use of discourse analytical tools in creating her lyrics. The songs reflect political, social, cultural and religious ideals of the Yorùbá traditional African society. The contextual issues expressed in the songs include the importance attached to the child as success indicator, the significance of marriage, love, conspiracy and the place of detractors, corruption and embezzlement, 184 Temidayo Akinrinlola supremacy of God, social degeneration, gender inequality and the cyclical nature of life. Ṣeun Ògúnfìdítìmí is an advocate of social and cultural revival of traditional African values.

Author(s):  
Elena Anatol'evna Balygina ◽  
Yuliya Vladimirovna Yarovikova ◽  
Tat'yana Viktorovna Ermolova ◽  
Oksana Aleksandrovna Krukovskaya

Multiple scientific works are dedicated to studying the impact of linguistic factors upon the translation process. However, relevant remains the task of determining dependence of the translation strategy on the peculiarities of semantic development and functionality of terminological units. This article examines the functional-semantic aspects of translation of the adjective-substantive terminological phrases of English language that reflects the scientific notions of psychology. An attempt is made to develop the methods for translating terminological phrases that would consider syntagmatic aspects of interaction of the meanings of its components. Attention is focused on determination of the impact of peculiarities of terminological meaning of terminological phrase upon the choice of its conveying in translation. A conclusion is made that the translation process of terminological phrases from English to Russian are influenced by such factors, as the level of semantic closeness of terminological phrases and communicative significance of its adjective component. In conclusion, the author discusses strategies of selection of the way of translation of terminological phrases, taking into account the aforementioned factors.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Sri Handayani ◽  
Sri Harto

AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan menggambarkan pengalaman mahasiswa untuk membangun kepedulian dalam mengatasi masalah khususnya pada penerjemahan puisi.  Data penelitian dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner, wawancara dan observasi kelas yang melibatkan 85 orang mahasiswa semester enam dari dua kelas yang berbeda dan dua orang dosen pengampu mata kuliah Translating Literary Works di  Program Studi Bahasa dan Sastra Inggris pada salah satu perguruan tinggi negeri di kota Bandung. Kuesioner dilengkapi oleh 55 mahasiswa dari 85 yang terlibat dalam penelitian.  Wawancara dilakukan untuk melengkapi dan mengecek kebenaran informasi yang diperoleh melalui kuesioner.  Selain itu, observasi kelas dilakukan di dua kelas paralel untuk melihat aktivitas belajar mengajar yang dilakukan oleh dua orang dosen dan mahasiswa dari dua kelas tersebut. Observasi difokuskan pada materi perkuliahan, metode dan teknik pengajaran yang diterapkan oleh dosen, masalah yang dihadapi dan teknik yang digunakan untuk menyelesaikan masalah dalam penerjemahan puisi.  Data dianalisis berdasarkan beberapa teori penerjemahan yang relevan.  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengalaman mahasiswa yang disampaikan di dalam kelas memberikan beberapa keuntungan bagi mereka karena berbagi pengalaman di dalam kelas mampu: (1) memotivasi mahasiswa untuk menyelesaikan pekerjaan penerjemahan secara lebih serius karena mereka dituntut untuk menyajikan hasil karya terjemahan di dalam kelas; (2) membangun rasa percaya diri mahasiswa dalam menerjemahkan karena hasil terjemahannya akan diberikan umpan balik; (3) melatih kemampuan mahasiswa menganalisis masalah untuk mencari jalan keluar yang sesuai; (4) memperkenalkan mahasiswa terhadap pengetahuan kritis bahasa sumber dan bahasa sasaran; dan (5) membangun kepedulian mahasiswa agar masalah yang muncul dalam proses penerjemahan yang sangat kompleks dapat diselesaikan.Kata kunci: berbagi pengalaman, kepedulian, penyelesaian masalah AbstractThis research was aimed at describing the classroom sharing experiences to build students’ awareness dealing with the problem solving in translating poetry. The data were collected through questionnaire, interview and classroom observation involving 85 sixth semester students in two different classes and two lecturers of Translating Literary Works course at the English Language and Literature Studies in one state university in Bandung city.  The questionnaire was completed by 55 (out of 85) students invited to fill in the questionnaire. Interview was done to complete and cross check the information derived from the questionnaire.  Meanwhile, the observation was administered in the two parallel classes to observe the activities done by the two lecturers and students in the two classes.  The observation was focused on the course materials, teaching methods and techniques applied by the lecturers, problems faced and techniques used to solve the problems by the students in translating poetry. The data were then analyzed based on some relevant theories of translation.  The result of the research showed that the classroom sharing experiences gave some advantages to the students with several reasons: (1) motivating students to do their translation works more seriously since they had to present their translation works to the class; (2) developing the students’ self-confidence in translating the tasks since their translation works were given some feedbacks; (3) training the students to analyze the problems to find out the most appropriate techniques to solve the problems; (4) introducing the students to have more critical knowledge of both source and target languages; and (5) building the students’ awareness of how the problems appeared in a very complex translation process were solved. Keywords: awareness, problem solving, sharing experience


2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-142
Author(s):  
Sh.K. Shameyeva ◽  

This article examines different interpretations of the term discourse, gives a definition of economic discourse. The proposed work also examines the main features of the translation of economic media discourse that a specialist needs to know. The characteristics of stylistic, lexical, syntactic features of economic media discourse were given. The article examines the mistakes that a specialist can make, as well as the difficulties that arise in the translation process. These difficulties arise not only due to the lack of knowledge of the language, but also due to insufficient knowledge of the translator in the field of economics. The knowledge that a translator must have in order to translate accurately was examined. For an in-depth understanding, the work provided examples of translation of some terms and phrases from the English language, with examples of their use in certain situations.


Author(s):  
Bunmi Isaiah Omodan

This theoretical formulation responded to the quest for Africanised epistemic space to construct the hidden indigenous practices into the world of knowledge. Kenimani (that others may not have) and Kenimatoni (that others may not reach up to one’s status), a Yoruba language, one of the African languages was rationalised as an organisational theory of relationships capable of understanding and interpreting people’s actions, and inactions in organisations. The exploration was guided by examining how the underlying meaning and principles of Kenimani-Kenimatoni can be exemplified to the leadership and followership syndrome of organisational relationships. The article was designed using inductive and deductive experiential exploration to present the argument. Yoruba and its beauties were examined to open a linguistic permutation for the analysis. The two Yoruba words ‘kenimani’ and ‘kenimatoni’and their conjunctional framing as peculiar to university community were elucidated to reflect university organisational relationships. The dilemma of positivism and the negativism and the principles embedded in the Kenimani-Kenimatoni organisational practices were uncovered. The Kenimani-Kenimatoni epistemic standpoint was also exemplified with the conclusion that African society is rich in knowledge and practices. Therefore, an Africanised practice like Kenimani- Kenimatoni can explain relationship dynamics in organisations, though this is open to further scholastic discourse.


English Today ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-53
Author(s):  
Grace Ebunlola Adamo

The purpose of this paper is to foreground the extent to which the English language has eroded the originality and purity of the Yoruba language. The main focus will be on code-switching practices, which I believe to be detrimental to Yoruba in the long run. Although linguists have long proposed a ‘leave-your-language-alone’ attitude (see Hall, 1950), there is little doubt that the effects of first British colonization and then globalization have changed the linguistic ecology of Africa. Few sociolinguists would deny that a people's language is a symbol of their identity and culture. In an important textbook in the field, Holmes (1992: 70) confirms that ‘Language is an important component of identity and culture for many groups, maintaining their distinct identity and culture is usually important to … self esteem.’ What are we then to make of the extensive code-switching that I will be documenting in this article? Linguists' tolerance has certainly extended to code-switching studies in Africa, from which much important data has been drawn. The main scholar in this area is Carol Myers-Scotton, whose two books on code-switching (1993a,b) were based primarily on her research in Africa and remain central to the field internationally. Scholars like Coupland and Jaworski (1997) propose that the use of mixed speech in a conversation is not necessarily a language defect but a sign of flexibility and creativity. Understanding the social, psycholinguistic and syntactic motivations for switching is one thing, but the applied linguist and educationist also has to ask serious questions about what this means for the future of local languages heavily implicated in code-switching.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.O. Olorunfemi ◽  
O.L. Azubuike ◽  
O.E. Ojo

Language is essential for human existence; it enhances understanding between individuals whilst aiding communication. The Yorùbá language is one of the major Nigerian languages, that is gradually being eroded due to different reasons such as westernization, colonial legacy, modernization and economic development, advancement of technology amongst other reasons, it is therefore necessary for Africans especially of Yorùbá descent to save Yorùbá language. In this paper, an Onscreen Keyboard model is presented with an attempt to save Yorùbá language by prolonging its’ use through technology as it evolves. Data was collected on Yorùbá alphabets and a computational model was formulated (using unified modelling language) based on the output of the collected data. The On screen keyboard’s model was implemented using visual C#, and the system was evaluated to test its effectiveness. The model allows user input into the computer using Yorùbá language whilst predicting text as the user types thereby enhancing easy typing and learning experience. Although, the model was tested on Windows operating system, the model design can easily be adapted to other operating systems environments. In this study, we have successfully localized the typical English Language keyboard to allow input in Yorùbá language.Keywords: Language, Yorùbá, Endangered, Onscreen keyboardVol. 26 No 1, June 2019


Author(s):  
Margaret Fafa Nutsukpo

The 21st century African society is rife with oppressive and retrogressive customs and values that oppress and subjugate women. As a result, African women writers have embraced literary forms and subjects that highlight these issues and advocate for their elimination from society. Among these writers is Julie Okoh, a playwright, who projects her concerns about the dangers of female circumcision in her play, Edewede. Using feminism as a theoretical framework, this article interrogates Okoh’s adoption of the principles of two opposing feminist perspectives─African and radical feminism─with a view to revealing their impact in rousing her female characters from subservience, ignorance and passivity, to revolt against their oppression through social protest. It is discovered that education, consciousness-raising, sisterhood, female solidarity and resilience are powerful tools for women’s empowerment in the play. It is recommended that women should not be context bound in their choice and expression of feminist perspectives, strategies or weapons in the fight against gender inequality, oppression and exploitation; they should be open to contemporary avenues and progressive choices that will pave the way to their emancipation and social change.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-289
Author(s):  
PETER MWINWELLE ◽  
John Adukpo ◽  
Cletus Komudayiri Kantorgorje ◽  
Grace Asante-Anyimadu

Corruption has been one of the main challenges bedeviling the African society. Most artistic works in the form of writing and craft have dealt extensively with this canker of corruption. The poem ‘Ambassadors of Poverty’ is one of such works that touches on corruption in Africa. The present study seeks to examine the communicative implications underpinning the use of parallelism and semantic deviation in the poem. The study is situated within the linguistic and stylistic categories framework by Leech and Short (2007). The findings of the study identify forms of parallelism (noun phrases, prepositional phrases, simple and complex sentences) as well as forms of semantic deviation (metaphor, personification, irony, sarcasm, paradox, oxymoron and symbolism). The findings further unveil a preponderant use of varied shades of parallel structures to juxtapose the impoverished state of the ordinary African with the corrupt and luxurious lifestyle of African leaders while forms of semantic deviation are used to encode the unpatriotic attitudes of African leaders in figurative terms.  The study concludes that literary works such as poems are potent instruments that are subtly used to expose and condemn the ills of society. The study has implications for research, theory and practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asjad Ahmed Saeed Balla ◽  
Ahmed Gumaa Siddiek

The present study is an attempt to investigate the problems resulting from the lexical choice in the translation of the Holy Qur’an to emphasize the importance of the theory of “Frame Semantics” in the translation process. It has been conducted with the aim of measuring the difference in concept between the two languages Arabic and English. In order to find out this difference two words have been chosen from the Qur’an to see how the different English frames can affect the translation of the Holy Qur’an. In addition to that the paper aims to reveal the strategies used by translators to avoid such effect.  We also intended to see which factors that can mostly affect the translation of the Qur’an: the linguistic background or the cultural knowledge. Four hypotheses were coined to deal with the difference in frame knowledge (conception) between Arabic and English. The analysis of the data showed that the linguistic background contributed more to the translators’ ability than the cultural knowledge. A rank ordering for the five translations performed in the present study resulted in that the first rank (completely appropriate) was assigned to Yusuf Ali’s translation and the second position was booked by Pickhall’s translation.


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