Optimality in Sesotho Translation

Abstract

Sesotho translators sometimes fall short to express optimally acceptable translations. The objective of this paper is therefore to demonstrate the translator's role in constituting an optimally and culturally acceptable translation. In terms of the optimality theory, the translator has to deal effectively and efficiently with the emerging translation challenges. Translation identifies itself as a decision-making process. The translator has to undertake conscious decisions throughout the translation process to meet the needs of his target readership. With a view to develop a meaningful translation, decisions should be based on identified variables and ordered in a particular sequence. The results in this paper proof that failure to deal with the constraints effectively may eventually culminate in the production of a translation of poor quality. It may, perhaps, even operate against the loyalty principle towards the intended target readership. Otherwise, optimality in translation is based on the premise that a good translation is associated with good translator's decisions regarding the text type, intended target readers, the context and the purpose of translation. It is only in this context that a functionally and culturally acceptable translation is delivered. Such an optimal translation is socially expected to be linguistically accessible to its intended readers. The paper suggests strong recommendations on the part of Sesotho translators to mind taking meaningful decisions so as to ensure that they produce optimal Sesothotranslations.