Content Evaluation Of English-Kiswahili Translations: The Case Study Of The Constitution Of Tanzania

ABSTRCT

This study sought to evaluate the content of the constitution of URT translated from English into Kiswahili. It specifically focused on the identification of the problems which translators experienced when translating and analyzing the challenges faced by the translators. Moreover, it discussed the factors which may contribute to the quality of translation or information. The data were collected through documentary review, questionnaires and interviews. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling techniques and a total number of 50 informants were used as sample size. In analyzing the data, the study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings of the study indicated that the translators of the URT constitution experienced problems such as overtranslation, undertranslation, mistranslation and zero translation. It was also found that there were challenges that led to those problems which included language incompetence, translator`s interest and negligence, poor proofreading and editing, Others were lack of adequate equivalents and cultural differences. Through this study, it is recommended that for the betterment and quality translation, translators should form a kind of association which will be proofreading and editing. Translators to be trained should have a good command of the relevant languages to address cultural differences.