CHAPTER ONE

1.0   Introduction

 The place of translation as a means of giving out information makes translation very necessary. Any needed information which is in another language could be re-expressed into other languages through translation for proper communication. Translation as a means of communication has the basic role of educating and informing. The importance of sharing information cannot be over stated because of what it can accomplish in the lives of individuals, organizations and nations. In fact, there is no area of endeavour that is excluded in this aspect. 

 Important facts and truths that are locked up in every piece of information which in turn is often expressed in some foreign languages are exposed through translation. Such facts, be they in sciences or arts, when translated are made accessible for the benefit of others.

 Translation as a veritable tool for any human activity has been viewed and explained by various people. Th8/4riveni (2000:1) states that “translation is not simply a matter of seeking other words with similar meanings but of finding appropriate ways of saying things in another language”.

 Commenting on the communicating role of translation, Ajunwa (1991:13) views translation as “a means of communication born of cultural contacts and interactions between speakers of different languages”. This goes to suggest that translation cuts across the cultures of the world. Therefore, if people should know about other people’s culture and other aspects of their lives, then the need for translating from one language to the other is very necessary.

 Buttressing the above explanations, Edebiri (1982:1) states that; “Translation, one of the most important cross-linguistic and cross cultural practices has been going on in Nigeria for over a century now”. The inference is still on translation cutting across different cultures of the world. 

 Translation actually started in Nigeria with the coming of the missionaries in the 17th century. During this era, some religious materials were written and translated by these missionaries, to aid the work of spreading the gospel. Not long, some indigenous writers joined in writing either in the Igbo or English languages. But it was observed from the works produced that the interest of these indigenous writers was more in writing than in translating. With this, many works were produced in the area of Prose, Drama and Poetry. These works were written in English or Igbo. 

In the area of Prose, works like Things Fall Apart, only Eze Goes to School, Drummer Boy, The Only Son, Efuru, Omenụkọ, Ije Odumodu Jere, Ala Bingo, Isi Akwụ dara N’ala and Mbediọgụ were produced. In Drama, we have works like, Ọjaadịlị, Nwata Rie Awọ, Obidiya, Akụ Fechaa, Akụ Ụwa, Eriri Mara Ngwugwu and Ọkụ Ụzụ Daa Ibube. Poetry though a more difficult area is not left behind. Some works have actually been produced in this area.  We have works like, Abụ maka Ụmụntakịrị, Ụtara Ntị, Akpa Uche, Echiche, Akọ na Uche, Ụyọkọ Mbem and Uche Bụ Ahịa.

  Surprisingly, of all the listed works, Things Fall Apart, Mbediọgụ and

Omenụkọ have recently been translated into Igbo and other languages. It has been realized that not having enough translated Igbo works in other languages and also works in other languages being translated into Igbo has actually locked up facts and ideas about these people that own these languages, especially as it concerns the rich culture of the parties involved.

 Against this backdrop, the researcher has taken up the task of translating the text Eze Goes to School into the Igbo language. This text produced in 1963 is one of the oldest literature texts for the Junior Secondary Schools all over the federation. As an old text with an Igbo background, there is the need for it to be re-expressed in the Igbo language so as to be of great benefit to the grassroot. Also, we should understand that no matter how educated or experienced one is in a foreign language, it is still a foreign language. “Honest and Dynamic people are generally more comfortable speaking, writing and reading in their own language”, Nwadike (2008:18). There is also the sense of fulfillment, independence and belongingness in using one’s language. 

1.1 Significance of the Study

 In a multilingual nation like Nigeria, the importance of a study of this nature is obvious. The translation of the text Eze Goes to School will help some Igbo people that are not literate enough to read and appreciate some of the cultural elements that were highlighted in the text. Apart from this, the reading of the entire book in their own indigenous language will also be highly appreciated. 

  The work will also be of immense help to students and teachers of the

Igbo language who will find out through this study that Igbo is as good as any other language for the expression and dissemination of some cultural element seen in the text that are peculiar to the Igbo people. Finally, the study highlights some translation problems and how these problems hinder good translation work. 

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