Author:Dr. Isiaka Raji Folohunsho Hammed And Prof. Mikail Adebisi Folorunsho
Date: 20/02/2026
This paper examines the role of translation in preserving and transmitting Yoruba cultural values through a critical study of the Arabic translations of the literary works of D. O. Fágúnwà, one of the most influential Yoruba novelists whose writings are deeply rooted in Yoruba beliefs, proverbs, oral traditions, and cosmology. As African literary texts increasingly circulate beyond their indigenous linguistic contexts, the challenge of sustaining cultural identity in translation becomes more pressing, particularly when such texts are rendered into Arabic, a Semitic language with its own rich literary and rhetorical traditions. The study therefore investigates how the translation of Fágúnwà’s works into Arabic negotiates the balance between linguistic accuracy and cultural expression, and the extent to which the cultural essence of the Yoruba worldview is preserved without diluting indigenous meanings. Using a qualitative textual and comparative approach, the paper analyses selected Arabic translations produced by notable scholars such as A. S. Abdussalam, M. M. Jimba, and A. A. Adebisi, with particular attention to the rendering of cultural symbols, metaphors, proverbs, and narrative structures. The findings reveal that although certain cultural nuances undergo adaptation in the translation process, the translations largely succeed in retaining the core Yoruba cultural identity embedded in the original texts. The study concludes that translation functions not merely as a linguistic activity but as a cultural bridge that fosters intercultural dialogue and ensures the continuity of Yoruba heritage in global literary discourse. By highlighting the role of culturally sensitive translation, this paper contributes to African literary studies, translation studies, and intercultural communication, underscoring translation as a vital tool for safeguarding indigenous cultural heritage in a multilingual and multicultural world.
Keywords: D. O. Fágúnwà, Yoruba identity, Translation, Arabic literature, Cultural preservation.
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