Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession

Joseph Igono; Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession

Joseph Igono, Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu

Published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 4, Issue 1)

Received: 13 January 2018 Accepted: 16 February 2018 Published: 19 March 2018

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Abstract

This descriptive research analyzes selected Igbo proverbs and idiomatic expressions using translation approach. While literal translation is used to reveal the syntactic structures of the selected fixed expressions in Igbo, semantic translation is also used to reveal the rich meaning of the expressions. The application of these procedures helps reveals the tenets of advice, motivations and blame that are inherent in Igbo proverbs and idioms. It is such values as these that are of reformatory benefits during the periods of social or economic crisis. A number of Igbo proverbs and idioms were collected from Igbo native speakers and some written texts. From this corpus, proverbs and idiomatic expressions that appear to have relevance to nature, social and economic issues were selected and classified into two lists – proverbs list and idiomatic expressions list. These two lists were given to elderly Igbo native speakers who are also linguistically knowledgeable in the language to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the lists. After this, both literal and semantic translation of the proverbs and idiomatic expressions were made from Igbo into English. Implications are drawn based on what the two translation approaches revealed. At the end of the study, it was found that Igbo proverbs and idioms consist of many wise conceptual frames and reformative tenets capable of motivating the individual and encouraging hard work. The research recommends therefore, that the deployment of rich linguistic resources like fixed expressions have great positive implications in curbing economic crisis since they can be used to give pieces of social advice that will help economic growth of the individuals and the society at large at the moment of crisis.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 4, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
Page(s)	1-8
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Proverbs, Idioms, Translation, Igbo, Economic Recession

References

[1]	Thalji, M. Basam. (2015). The Translation of Proverbs: Obstacles and Strategies. Amman, Jordan: Unpublished Thesis. Middle East University.
[2]	Litovikina, A. (2014). Anti-Proverbs. In H. Gotthardt & M. Varga, (Eds.). Introduction to Paremiology: A Comprehensive Guide to Proverbs Studies. Pp. 326 -347.
[3]	Barajs, E. (2010). The Functions of Proverbs in Discourse. Germany: Deustche National bibliothek.
[4]	Longman Dictionary of English Idioms. (1998). UK: Longman Group Ltd.
[5]	Adelnia, A. & Hossein Vahid Dastjerdi (2011). “Translation of Idioms: A Hard Task for the Translator”. Theory and Practice in Language Studies. Vol. 1, No. 7, pp. 879-883.
[6]	Larson, M. (1984). Meaning Based Translation: A Guide to Cross Language Equivalence. London & New York: University Press of America.
[7]	Amadeo K. (2017). What Is a Recession? Examples, Impact, Benefits.
[8]	https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-a-recession-3306019.
[9]	Ngwube, A, & Matthew Ogbuagu (2014). “Global Financial Crisis and Nigeria Economy.” Global Journal of Management and Business Research (B). Vol. XIV, issue IV, version 1.
[10]	Igberaharha, C. O. (2017). “Challenges of Economic Recession among Developing Countries: Africa Perspective. International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology & Social Strategies. Vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 23-30.
[11]	Igono, M. N. (2017) “Effective Communication and Quality Management Strategies as a way of Curbing Challenges of Economic Recession in Nigeria” a paper presented at the 9th National Conference of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, North-East Zone on Tuesday 5th December, 2017 at Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, Nigeria.
[12]	Igono,M.N.(2017) “Effective Communication and Quality Management Strategies as a way of Curbing Challenges of Economic Recessionin Nigeria”
[13]	Samovar, Larry A., Richard E. Porter, and Lisa A. Stefani. (2009). “Communication between Cultures”. Edited by Randall Adams. Wadsworth Series in Communication Studies, 3rd ed,. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
[14]	Nwoga D. I (1972). Appraisal of Igbo proverbs and Idioms. Nsukka: University of Nsukka.
[15]	Honeck, R. (1997). A proverb in mind: the cognitive science of proverbial wit and wisdom. USA: Lawrence Erlbaum.
[16]	Dabaghi, A., Pishbin, E & Niknasab, L. (2010). “Proverbs from the Viewpoint of Translation”. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, Vol. 1, No. 6, pp. 807-814, November 2010. DOI:10.4304/jltr.1.6.807-814.
[17]	Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A Handbook. London: Greenwood Press.
[18]	Dabaghi, A. Pishbin, E&Niknasab, L. (2010). “Proverbs from the View point of Translation”
[19]	Newmark, P. (1988). A Textbook of Translation. New York: Prentice Hall.

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Joseph Igono, Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. (2018). Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 4(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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Joseph Igono; Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2018, 4(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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Joseph Igono, Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2018;4(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11,
  author = {Joseph Igono and Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu},
  title = {Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {4},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  abstract = {This descriptive research analyzes selected Igbo proverbs and idiomatic expressions using translation approach. While literal translation is used to reveal the syntactic structures of the selected fixed expressions in Igbo, semantic translation is also used to reveal the rich meaning of the expressions. The application of these procedures helps reveals the tenets of advice, motivations and blame that are inherent in Igbo proverbs and idioms. It is such values as these that are of reformatory benefits during the periods of social or economic crisis. A number of Igbo proverbs and idioms were collected from Igbo native speakers and some written texts. From this corpus, proverbs and idiomatic expressions that appear to have relevance to nature, social and economic issues were selected and classified into two lists – proverbs list and idiomatic expressions list. These two lists were given to elderly Igbo native speakers who are also linguistically knowledgeable in the language to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the lists. After this, both literal and semantic translation of the proverbs and idiomatic expressions were made from Igbo into English. Implications are drawn based on what the two translation approaches revealed. At the end of the study, it was found that Igbo proverbs and idioms consist of many wise conceptual frames and reformative tenets capable of motivating the individual and encouraging hard work. The research recommends therefore, that the deployment of rich linguistic resources like fixed expressions have great positive implications in curbing economic crisis since they can be used to give pieces of social advice that will help economic growth of the individuals and the society at large at the moment of crisis.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession
AU  - Joseph Igono
AU  - Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu
Y1  - 2018/03/19
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
AB  - This descriptive research analyzes selected Igbo proverbs and idiomatic expressions using translation approach. While literal translation is used to reveal the syntactic structures of the selected fixed expressions in Igbo, semantic translation is also used to reveal the rich meaning of the expressions. The application of these procedures helps reveals the tenets of advice, motivations and blame that are inherent in Igbo proverbs and idioms. It is such values as these that are of reformatory benefits during the periods of social or economic crisis. A number of Igbo proverbs and idioms were collected from Igbo native speakers and some written texts. From this corpus, proverbs and idiomatic expressions that appear to have relevance to nature, social and economic issues were selected and classified into two lists – proverbs list and idiomatic expressions list. These two lists were given to elderly Igbo native speakers who are also linguistically knowledgeable in the language to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the lists. After this, both literal and semantic translation of the proverbs and idiomatic expressions were made from Igbo into English. Implications are drawn based on what the two translation approaches revealed. At the end of the study, it was found that Igbo proverbs and idioms consist of many wise conceptual frames and reformative tenets capable of motivating the individual and encouraging hard work. The research recommends therefore, that the deployment of rich linguistic resources like fixed expressions have great positive implications in curbing economic crisis since they can be used to give pieces of social advice that will help economic growth of the individuals and the society at large at the moment of crisis.
VL  - 4
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Author Information

Joseph Igono

Department of French, Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashu’a, Nigeria
Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu

Department of French, Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashu’a, Nigeria

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APA Style

Joseph Igono, Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. (2018). Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 4(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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ACS Style

Joseph Igono; Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2018, 4(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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AMA Style

Joseph Igono, Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu. Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2018;4(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11,
  author = {Joseph Igono and Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu},
  title = {Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {4},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20180401.11},
  abstract = {This descriptive research analyzes selected Igbo proverbs and idiomatic expressions using translation approach. While literal translation is used to reveal the syntactic structures of the selected fixed expressions in Igbo, semantic translation is also used to reveal the rich meaning of the expressions. The application of these procedures helps reveals the tenets of advice, motivations and blame that are inherent in Igbo proverbs and idioms. It is such values as these that are of reformatory benefits during the periods of social or economic crisis. A number of Igbo proverbs and idioms were collected from Igbo native speakers and some written texts. From this corpus, proverbs and idiomatic expressions that appear to have relevance to nature, social and economic issues were selected and classified into two lists – proverbs list and idiomatic expressions list. These two lists were given to elderly Igbo native speakers who are also linguistically knowledgeable in the language to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the lists. After this, both literal and semantic translation of the proverbs and idiomatic expressions were made from Igbo into English. Implications are drawn based on what the two translation approaches revealed. At the end of the study, it was found that Igbo proverbs and idioms consist of many wise conceptual frames and reformative tenets capable of motivating the individual and encouraging hard work. The research recommends therefore, that the deployment of rich linguistic resources like fixed expressions have great positive implications in curbing economic crisis since they can be used to give pieces of social advice that will help economic growth of the individuals and the society at large at the moment of crisis.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Translation of Selected Igbo Proverbs and Idiomatic Expressions: Implications for Curbing Economic Recession
AU  - Joseph Igono
AU  - Ugochukwu Ogbonnaya Ogudu
Y1  - 2018/03/19
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20180401.11
AB  - This descriptive research analyzes selected Igbo proverbs and idiomatic expressions using translation approach. While literal translation is used to reveal the syntactic structures of the selected fixed expressions in Igbo, semantic translation is also used to reveal the rich meaning of the expressions. The application of these procedures helps reveals the tenets of advice, motivations and blame that are inherent in Igbo proverbs and idioms. It is such values as these that are of reformatory benefits during the periods of social or economic crisis. A number of Igbo proverbs and idioms were collected from Igbo native speakers and some written texts. From this corpus, proverbs and idiomatic expressions that appear to have relevance to nature, social and economic issues were selected and classified into two lists – proverbs list and idiomatic expressions list. These two lists were given to elderly Igbo native speakers who are also linguistically knowledgeable in the language to determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the lists. After this, both literal and semantic translation of the proverbs and idiomatic expressions were made from Igbo into English. Implications are drawn based on what the two translation approaches revealed. At the end of the study, it was found that Igbo proverbs and idioms consist of many wise conceptual frames and reformative tenets capable of motivating the individual and encouraging hard work. The research recommends therefore, that the deployment of rich linguistic resources like fixed expressions have great positive implications in curbing economic crisis since they can be used to give pieces of social advice that will help economic growth of the individuals and the society at large at the moment of crisis.
VL  - 4
IS  - 1
ER  -

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