Author:Dr. BABATUNDE, CHRISTIANA TAIWO & FEMI FRANCIS BABATUNDE
Date: 20/02/2026
This paper examines the ethics of translating Yoruba poetic forms, òwe (proverbs), and oríkì (praise poetry), within the broader field of cultural and literary studies. In Yoruba philosophy, meaning often resides in the unsaid: the metaphor, ellipsis, or performative silence through which speech acquires depth. Translating such texts therefore requires more than lexical equivalence; it demands ethical attentiveness to cultural epistemologies and the implicit knowledge structures they carry. Drawing on Ricoeur‘s concept of linguistic hospitality and Gadamer‘s hermeneutics of dialogue, the study develops a framework for understanding translation as an ethical relation that mediates between worlds without erasing difference. The Yoruba conception of ọrọ as event and bearer of àṣẹ is contrasted with Western traditions of logos, highlighting distinct philosophies of language that shape translation choices. Through case studies of proverb collections and oríkì performances, the study demonstrates how different translation strategies (literalism, domestication, creative equivalence) can either illuminate or flatten the philosophical force of Yoruba poetics. It argues that the ethical task of the translator lies not in complete transfer but in enabling cross-cultural resonance while respecting the integrity of Yoruba thought. The paper concludes by proposing guidelines for ―philosophical translation‖ that can inform education, intercultural dialogue, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. In doing so, it underscores the transformative potential of translation as both an academic and civic practice.
Keywords: Yoruba poetics; ethics of translation; hermeneutics; philosophy of language
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