Translating African Literature in Congo: Challenges and Strategies

Translation of African literature is crucial for promoting cultural understanding globally, with significant implications in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The research employs a qualitative approach involving interviews with translators, focus group discussions with literary scholars, and document analysis of translation materials from Congo’s cultural sector. Translators in the DRC reported encountering significant difficulties such as maintaining fidelity to the original text while adapting for global audiences, particularly regarding cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions. A notable finding is that 70% of translators use a combination of source language and target language elements to bridge these gaps. Despite challenges, there are effective strategies being developed by the DRC’s literary community to enhance the accessibility and appreciation of African literature. Policy makers should prioritise supporting research into translation techniques that can promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. Universities should include courses on translation studies in their curricula.