Translating African Literature for Global Audiences: Challenges and Strategies in Uganda

Translating African literature into global languages is a complex process that involves not only linguistic translation but also cultural adaptation and understanding. This qualitative study employs semi-structured interviews with literary translators and scholars to gather insights into the translation process. Focus groups also examine audience reception of translated works. Translators reported encountering significant difficulties in preserving the nuanced cultural references found in Ugandan literature, a challenge that significantly affected readers' engagement with the texts. The study highlights the importance of context-specific knowledge for effective translation and underscores the need for more collaborative efforts between translators and scholars to bridge these gaps. Future research should include more diverse perspectives on translation challenges and strategies, including those from non-Ugandan contexts. Practical guidelines for translators should also be developed based on this study's findings.