Transposition and modulation in the translation of subtitles between isiZulu and English: a case of Umkhokha.

Abstract

This study explored the utilization of transposition and modulation as translation techniques for subtitles between isiZulu and English, focusing on the context of the South African linguistic landscape. The research addressed a notable gap in the existing literature on translation techniques, particularly concerning modulation and transposition, and contributed valuable insights into the comprehension and application of translation practices between English and isiZulu. The study aimed to achieve the following objectives: first, to gain insights into how transposition and modulation are utilized in the translation process as effective translation techniques in rendering isiZulu content into English; second, to investigate the proficient utilization of transposition and modulation in the translation of subtitles between isiZulu and English. Therefore, an interpretive paradigm is employed to develop sensitizing concepts and identify potential ideas that could foster a deeper understanding of the translation process. Furthermore, the data were randomly collected from English subtitles and isiZulu audio of the drama series Umkhokha, accessible on Showmax. The analysis focuses on the transposition and modulation techniques employed in translating Umkhokha episodes. For this purpose, Molina and Albir’s Dynamic approach to translation techniques (2002) and Vinay and Darbelnet’s linguistic model (1995) are utilized to examine and interpret the gathered data. The presentation of the study’s findings is textual, wherein the researcher explores the transposition and modulation translation techniques detected within the collected information. This study sought to provide valuable insights into the complex translation process between isiZulu and English, contributing to the advancement of translation studies in South Africa’s multilingual environment.