Translation is enjoying growing recognition in today’s globalised world. It plays an important
role in all spheres of human activities and is fundamental to intercultural communication,
particularly in international organisations. This empirical research therefore explores how the
profession is practised at the African Union, particularly at the African Union Commission
(AUC) and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). More specifically, it establishes the profile of
translators in both institutions, assesses the quality of translations, and determines if translations
are source or target-oriented. To this end, this study uses statistical and documentary research as
well as quantitative and qualitative data gathering through personal interviews with translators
and a supervisor. Further, it critically evaluates four original texts and their translations using
House’s (1997) model of translation quality assessment. Except for the Solemn Declaration of
Oath of Allegiance, the evaluated texts displayed ideational features purposefully aimed at
informing the readership. These result in a covert translation strategy being employed by
translators and a cultural filter being applied in order to achieve a functional equivalence. A
critical analysis of questionnaires and personal interviews with translators and one supervisor
through purposive sampling shows that translation plays a strategic role in the smooth running of
the two institutions. Translators mostly adhered to original texts, while ensuring that the
translation was natural and fluent.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/13034 |
| Date | 13 August 2013 |
| Creators | Tohouenou, Raymond Codjo |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf, application/pdf |
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