African Languages in Practice: Translation Studies and Sociocultural Transformations

This edited volume offers diverse theoretical and empirical research written by both emerging and seasoned researchers within the field of language practice from South Africa and beyond. The diversity observed in the contents of this book emphasises the depth and breadth of language research. The chapters are interdisciplinary and include translation, sociolinguistics, onomastics and sociocultural topics that fall within the domain of language practice. This interface of disciplines, which were previously regarded as stand-alone, shows how indigenous language research has advanced. This broadens the scope for novel research in the field of languages, leading to the promotion and wider recognition of indigenous languages, in particular. What enriches this volume further is that the data is not only collected from diverse sources but also from different languages of South Africa. African Languages in Practice is an invaluable reference for students and researchers who are interested in language research and in African indigenous languages.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1: Translation in Perspective Chapter 1. Conceptual Integrity and Principles of Congruity: Reflections on Translation Chapter 2. Creativity in Literary Translation: The Author-Translator’s Case Chapter 3. Bringing the Translated Text Home: Lessons from Serudu’s Translation of Things Fall Apart Chapter 4. Africanisation and Translation of Social Media Emojis: A Textual Analysis of Selected Facebook Posts Part 2: Modalities of Sociolinguistics Chapter 5. Examining Language Barrier Challenges between Domestic Workers, ‘Oo-Aunty’ and Their Employers in South Africa Chapter 6. Ukuhlaziya Ukubaluleka Kokulondolozwa Kolimi LwesiZulu Emculweni kaVusi Ximba / Analysing the Importance of Preserving the Zulu Language in Ximba’s Music Chapter 7. Revitalising Previously Marginalised Sepedi Language Varieties: A Decolonial Perspective on Khelobedu and Sepulana Chapter 8. Disruptive Reportage to Solve South Africa’s Gender-Based Violence Crisis: A Case Study of the Student Media Coverage of the #RUReferenceList Protests Chapter 9. A South African Perspective on the Impact of English Usage on Black Illiterate Congregants in Charismatic Churches Chapter 10. Reflections of Misogynistic Language in Covid-19-Associated Jokes on Social Media Part 3: Language and Sociocultural Dynamics Chapter 11. The Implication of a Lack of Intergenerational Cultural Transmission and Language on the Identity of Black Urban Youth in South Africa Chapter 12. The Remediation of Education: Euphemisms and Popular Culture in the Vagina Varsity’s Online Advertising Campaign Trailers Chapter 13. African Languages in Practice in the Twenty-First Century: Will Basotho Indigenous Children’s Games Survive Digitalisation? Chapter 14. The Cultural Meaning of Personal Names among the Kikuyu of Central Kenya: A Historical and Sociolinguistic Analysis About the Editors About the Contributors