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Translating African Oral Chants, Tales, Legends, and Myths explores the principles and practices involved in converting traditional African oral expressions from their original languages into other languages while preserving their cultural meaning, artistic structure, and symbolic significance. It examines the unique challenges of translating oral forms—such as rhythm, repetition, performance elements, and cultural references—found in chants, folktales, legends, and myths, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity and contextual understanding. The topic also highlights the role of translation in preserving and promoting African heritage across linguistic and regional boundaries. Course objectives include enabling learners to understand the nature and features of African oral literature, develop skills in accurate and culturally appropriate translation, identify challenges in translating oral forms, and apply effective strategies for preserving the authenticity and richness of indigenous narratives in translated works.
This lecture is part of LIT-306 Nigerian Oral Literatures in English Translation in the Literature in English department. The course has 30 recorded lectures across 10 series, all free to watch. Read or download the LIT-306 lecture note to study alongside the video.