DHIMA YA VITABU VYA FASIHI TAFSIRIWA YA KIGENI KWA FASIHI YA KISWAHILI

Abstract

Before independence there was a dearth of publications in Kiswahili literature. Due to that scarcity, the education sector was greatly affected. During that period, Kiswahili had already grounded itself and was used as an important tool in the wider societal communication. So as to bridge the gap in the written Kiswahili literature, books written in other languages were translated into Kiswahili. Those translations contributed to the small collection of Kiswahili books that were available then. During this period, some Kiswahili enthusiasts such as Sheikh Shaaban Robert started composing poems, novels, short stories and plays in Kiswahili. At this time, more books written in other languages were translated into Kiswahili. This state of affairs has been going on in East Africa up to the present. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of this ‘foreign literature’ to Kiswahili literature. Also, the paper highlights thedevelopment, contribution and the future of translated literature in Kiswahili. Last but not least, the creative deficiency of these translations has been expounded by highlighting the way themes have been crafted in the context of the life and culture of the people of East Africa.