Translating African Names in Fiction

Isaiah Bariki

doi:10.17533/udea.ikala.3158

Authors

Isaiah Bariki University of Ilorin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ikala.3158

Keywords:

African personal names, sociocultural functions of personal names, translation of personal names.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the sociocultural and ethno-pragmatic significance of African names as used by the Yoruba and Izon of Nigeria and the Akan of Ghana. From the perspective of linguistic anthropology, we show the non-arbitrary nature of these names and demonstrate the need to translate them, particularly in fictional texts, so that their significance may be preserved.

Received: 25-11-08 / Accepted: 07-07-09

How to reference this article:

Bariki, I. (2009). Translating African Names in Fiction. Íkala. 14(3), pp.43-61

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Author Biography

Isaiah Bariki, University of Ilorin

Dr. Isaiah Bariki is a Senior Lecturer of French in University of Ilorin, Nigeria. His research interests include translation theory and practice, naming, orthography, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. He has published several articles, some of which have appeared in Babel, Translatio, Le Linguiste, International Journal of Translation and International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities.

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