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Hecterosexism in Translation: a Comparative Study of Ngũgi Wa Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Goro, Wangi Wa (2005) Hecterosexism in translation: a comparative study of Nggi Wa Thiong’o’s Caitani Mutharabaini (Devil on the cross) and Matigari Ma Njirngi (Matigari). PhD thesis, Middlesex University. [Thesis] Final accepted version (with author’s formatting) This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/10824/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. Works, including theses and research projects, may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or extensive quotations taken from them, or their content changed in any way, without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). They may not be sold or exploited commercially in any format or medium without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s). Full bibliographic details must be given when referring to, or quoting from full items including the author’s name, the title of the work, publication details where relevant (place, publisher, date), pag- ination, and for theses or dissertations the awarding institution, the degree type awarded, and the date of the award. If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address: [email protected] The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated. See also repository copyright: re-use policy: http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/policies.html#copy Middlesex University London Middlesex University Research Repository: an open access repository of Middlesex University research http://epri nts.mdx.ac. uk Goro, WangOi Wa, 2005. Hecterosexism in translation: a comparative study of NgOgi Wa Thiong'o's Caitani Mutharabaini (Devil on the cross) and Matigari Ma NjirOOngi (Matigari). Available from Middlesex University's Research Repository. • • Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University's research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this thesis/research project are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. Any use of the thesis/research project for private study or research must be properly acknowledged with reference to the work's full bibliographic details. This thesis/research project may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or extensive quotations taken from it, or its content changed in any way, without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address: [email protected] The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated. HECTEROSEXISM IN TRANSLATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NGUGI WA THIONG'O'S CAITANI MUTHARABAINI (DEVIL ON THE CROSS) AND MATIGARI MA NJIRUUNGI (MATIGAR!) W ANGUI W A GORO AWARDED BY MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY THE THESIS IS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 'This candidate is known as Elizabeth Wangui Mbuguah Goro' July 2005 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is dedicated to the late Professor G .H. McWilliam who was my lecturer of Italian during my undergraduate years at Leicester University and translator of major works including Bocaccio's Decameron. He made me aware of the potential of translation as something dynamic and powerful. I am grateful to Ngilgi wa Thiong'o for his pioneering work in literature and in Gikilyil. In addition to this, he has been open to discussions on the development of the Gikilyillanguage, literature, culture and knowledge, and some of the challenges for translation over the period I have been involved in his work in general, and in conducting this research in particular. lowe my translation ofNgilgI's work to Henry Chakava who had faith in my translation competence and was the first to take the risk of publishing my translation. I am also grateful to Veronique Tadjo for allowing me further insights in translation through the translation of her book A Vol D 'oiseau through which I was able to clarify some of my ideas on translation theory and practice during this research period. In relation to this research, I am particularly indebted to Dr. Ranjana Ash who first invited me to discuss the translation ofNgilgI's work at the ACLAILS Silver Jubilee conference at the University of Kent in 1989. I am also indebted to the late Dr. Cook who invited me to speak on the importance of translation and tradition and the future at the Commonwealth ofLetters Conference in Yale in 1991. These two papers form the backbone to this thesis. I would like to acknowledge the support that I have received from the University, colleagues, friends and family. I was fortunate enough to obtain research and travel bursaries through the University, which have supported me and I am grateful that Translation Studies was accorded significant recognition to warrant this support. I am therefore indebted to the Dean, Professor Gabriel Parker and the staff at the Centre of translation studies and indeed the school for this accommodation. This includes Dr. Peter Bush, Dr. Steven Barbour, Dr. Alberto Mira and Dr. Emily Saline who supported me at the inception of the research. lowe my profound appreciation to my supervisors, Professor Malkmjrer and Dr. Alberto Mira who have supported and encouraged me through the bulk of the research and Professor Mulhern, the head of Research at the School. I found stimulus though the teaching colleagues, fellow researchers and students who kept the debates lively and from whom I learned so much. The public seminars in translation from leading theorist and practitioners have left a lasting impression on me and have given me enormous insights into a wide range of issues. The encounters with some of the contemporary thinkers who are shaping thought and practice brought not only inspiration but also opened invaluable terrain which would have been unavailable through research as some of the ideas have only publicly evolved through such fora and were unpublished until more recently. This is partly due to the stage that translation studies have been undergoing as a relatively new academic discipline. Their generosity with their ideas and time has been welcome and I have also been very fortunate to be a member of vibrant translation studies, literary, cultural and translation communities. I therefore owe my gratitude to other institutions which have received me or supported me and individuals within them who have made a difference. This includes: Professor II Malkmjaer, Professor Mona Baker, Professor Peter Bush, Dr. Carol O'Sullivan. Dr. Ato Quayson, Dr Cannen Milan, Dr. Mpalive Msiska, Dr. Nana Wilson Tagoe, Dr. Ros Foreman, Professor Theo Hermans, Professor Oty-Ogbajoh Laoye, Kassahun Checole, Professor Charles Canteloupo, Professor Janis Mayes, Professor Anne Adams, Professor Carol Boyce Davies, Professor Vincent Odammten, Professor Edwin Gentzler. Others include Professor Abdul Rasheed Na' Allah, Proffessor Ossenyou Traore, Tomi Adeaga, Professor Fanuel Egejuru, Professor Pam Smith, Dr.Luise Von Flotow, Professor Maria Tymockzo, and Professor Carol Maier. Additionally a number of institutions and colleagues at the Africa Centre, The Arts Council of Great BritainlEngland, the African Literature Association, the Zimbabwe International Bookfair, SABDET, The Frankfurt International Bookfair, The Federation of Translators and Interpreters, the Ariane Network and Heineman publishers have provided me with invaluable platforms and support for exploring the ideas for this research. I also received material support from the British Council and am thankful to Dr. Alistair Niven, Jonathan Barker and Catriona Ferguson. I am particularly indebted to the circle of family and friends who have held my hand through this period. This includes my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who have always encouragingly teased me into believing in my capacity to pursue my scholarly dreams. Additionally, I would like to thank, Dr.Ranjana and Bill Ash, Dr. Adotey Bing, John and Jenny Broadbent, Hilary Cartey, Dr. Dambala Danju, Becky Clarke, Susi and Ruth Drake, Morten Hagen, Pam Fraser-Solomon, Gerry German, Isha Mavinga, Kwabena Mensah, Nana Yaa Mensah, Ade Solanke, Horatio Morgan, Pat Murphy, Kwabena Owusu, Bunmi Popoola, Dr. Diagana Youssuf, Dr. Amrit Wilson, Tamsin and Giles, Magdaline, Martha and Bonnie Wanda, Kevin and Myriam Makinde, Lola and Frank Shote, Fulera Idriss and their families. I am indebted to the staff at the university who made my life at Middlesex smooth. My gratitude particularly to Anna Pavlakos the research Administrator who not only irons out the creases and untangles the knots, but also encourages the research students to finish their work. I also
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