Author: Dr. Ibrahim Adeigbe & Dr. Roheemat Olabimpe
Date: 20/02/2026
Translating Yoruba oral literature presents unique challenges that go beyond linguistic equivalence, as it involves conveying culturally rooted idioms, metaphors, proverbs, and performance aesthetics into a target language without losing their meaning and artistic power. This study explores the complexities of translating Yoruba oral texts, such as Oríkì (praise poetry), ijala (hunters' chants), ofo (incantations), and owe (proverbs), within their cultural and literary contexts. Employing a hermeneutic and socio-linguistic approach, the paper examines issues of untranslatability, cultural specificity, and the loss of performative elements essential to meaning-making in Yoruba oral traditions. It also investigates strategies such as domestication, foreignisation, paratextual commentary, and multimodal translation to preserve semantic richness, rhythm, and aesthetic appeal in the target language. The study argues that effective translation of Yoruba oral literature requires balancing fidelity to the source culture with accessibility for international audiences. Ultimately, this work contributes to ongoing discussions in translation studies by advocating for culturally sensitive methods that maintain the richness of Yoruba oral heritage in cross-cultural literary exchanges.
Keywords: Cultural context; Domestication and foreignisation; Translation strategies; Yoruba oral literature.
Download PDF