- Title
- Exploring principles for translating vulgar lexical items from English to Sepedi in literary texts and fictional films
- Creator
- Maboke, Emmanuel
- Subject
- Sepedi language, Vulgar -- Grammar, Historical
- Subject
- Translating and interpreting
- Subject
- Translation studies
- Date Issued
- 2025-04
- Date
- 2025-04
- Type
- Doctoral theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72309
- Identifier
- vital:79209
- Description
- This study explores translation principles for effectively rendering vulgar lexical items from English to Sepedi, with a focus on strategies and procedures applied in literary texts and fictional films. It investigates how linguistic and cultural competence contribute to achieving functional equivalence while preserving Sepedi’s stylistic and cultural integrity. Drawing on functional equivalence and the Skopos theory, the research examines strategies such as direct and oblique methods and procedures including cultural substitution, euphemistic expression, neutralisation and semantic modulation. The study contextualises vulgarity within the Bapedi culture, where principles of mutual respect and adherence to social norms often require careful handling of offensive language. It addresses the challenges of authentically translating vulgar expressions while respecting cultural sensitivities, particularly in a globalised context where the prevalence of vulgar lexical items in media and literature continues to grow. Using a multi-case study design, the research analyses examples of vulgar lexical items in various literary genres and film subtitles. Through comparative analysis and translation with commentary it identifies shortcomings in existing translations, such as over-reliance on euphemism or neutralisation, which can dilute meaning and emotional impact. The findings highlight the importance of balancing cultural appropriateness with the source text's intended meaning to maintain its functional equivalence. This study contributes to translation studies by offering a robust framework for translating culturally sensitive content in ways that respect both the source and target cultures. It advances practical translation methodologies for subtitling, literary translation and educational materials, supporting the preservation of Sepedi and aligning with South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and constitutional goals of language equality. The research underscores the translator’s pivotal role in bridging linguistic and cultural divides, providing critical insights into the complexities of translating vulgar lexical items while fostering the growth and standardisation of South Africa’s indigenous languages.
- Description
- Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2022
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (398 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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Collections
NMU School of Language, Media and Culture
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Maboke. E.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |