Translating English terms of address in Cry, the Beloved Country into Zulu

Abstract

Through the use of a stylised imitation of the language of the Authorised Version of the Bible, in Cry, the Beloved Country, Alan Paton produces marked lexis and grammar to create the illusion that the Zulu characters are actually speaking (and thinking) in Zulu. This means that the English terms of address used by the Zulu characters in this novel would pose special problems for the Zulu translator. C.L.S. Nyembezi, who translated this novel as Lafa Elihle Kakhulu, realised that he would not be able to translate certain aspects of the terms of address literally, as that would imply impoliteness in Zulu culture. He therefore resorted to cultural substitution and addition as translation strategies in order to ensure that the translated novel will be acceptable to Zulu readers.