Translating the Metaphorical Uses of Φῶς ‘light’ in Lugbarati: A Relevance Theory Perspective

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the metaphorical use of אוֹר /φῶς in the biblical texts of Isaiah (8:23-9.1) and Matthew (4:12-17) with the aim of evaluating its translation in Lugbarati (a Nilo-Saharan Language of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC]). The theoretical perspective used is Relevance Theory developed by Sperber and Wilson. Quantitative method is used for treating the translation data. The threefold conclusion reached goes as follows: (a) The biblical metaphorical use of אוֹר /φῶς in Isaiah and Matthew is the expression of justice and peace in the existence of the people of God. The overarching concept is restoration from bondage of evil in its abstract or spiritual state, as well as in its materialization in socio-political settings; (b) The translation of this metaphor in Lugbarati requires a consideration of the distinction between ‘literal’ versus ‘metaphorical’ use of the linguistic expression. The metaphorical use of אוֹר and φῶς is best translated in Lugbarati by the expression dìzà which is the one used by a significant percentage of mother-tongue speakers in the translation survey. Illustrations in Swahili and Lingala, other languages, do attest such variation of expressions for translating the literal sense versus the metaphorical one. (c) RT remains a valid tool for analyzing metaphors. However, the RT account of metaphor developed by Wilson needs further development. My quantitative research has proved that the linguistic representation of a broadened concept can be linguistically represented by another expression. Thus, the broadened concept LIGHT* in Lugbarati is linguistically represented by dìzà, while the non-broadened LIGHT in Lugbarati is linguistically represented by àci. The Lugbarati speakers have the tendency to select one of the synonyms of the expression ‘light’ for metaphorical use, and the other(s) is (are) reserved for literal use(s). This is a new avenue of research that focuses on the linguistic representation of a concept (literal) and its broadened (metaphorical) form. This matters for translation because every language displays peculiarity in its conceptualization of realities, and metaphorical linguistic representations that are created from them.