Translation services in Tunde Kelani’s film medium of ‘Thunderbolt-Mágùn’ production as evince of cultural credences

Abstract

Translation refers to the process of rendering of words or text from one language to another as a means of communication that gives meaning to a linguistics discourse from source to target languages for comprehension. Film as a mode of communication is used by individuals to express their thoughts based on representations by creating the illusions through moving images. Hence, in projecting the culture of the people, translation becomes inevitable channel of communication for comprehension of cultural ideas from source to target languages. The paper aims to examine the culture of translation services in films in consonance with the considerable modes of translations: subtitling, simultaneous, documentary and source to target language translations. The study employed qualitative research that uses content analysis design with the use of textual, verbal content analysis in film. A video-film of Tunde Kelani with Yoruba cultural elements has been purposively selected for translation discourse and meanings: Thunderbolt-Mágùn. The study is hinged on Error Analysis theory as appropriately employed for cultural translation discourses. Findings revealed that wrongly used words in describing situations in the process of translation by subtitling, simultaneous type of translations are crucial aspect of filmic interactions. Also, the Yoruba cultural beliefs and traditions are significantly reflected in songs, and also serve as means of expressing the people’s emotions and opinions. These form important aspects of the filmic interactions through which the audience comprehend the messages.