A case for a functional retranslation of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo into Ciluba

Abstract

As the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a legal document, it provides every Congolese citizen with information about their rights, privileges and obligations to the state, but also what one can expect from the state. The existing translation of the Constitution of the DRC into Ciluba serves as the starting point and is retranslated into the same language, considering the different functions of the source text and keeping the target reader in mind. This article sets the rationale for the retranslation of the Constitution of the (DRC) into Ciluba. The existing Ciluba text is a linguistic translation, as it is a word-for-word translation without meaningfully considering the function of the source text. Consequently, the language style of the existing translation is in contrast to a functionalist translation. Plain language principles in line with the generic Ciluba target text reader provide further reasons for revisiting the existing translation. This is enhanced by the examples discussed from the source text and the target text that should be read together with the typical linguistic profile of the generic Ciluba reader. The article consists of a relevant literature review focusing on functional translation theory and retranslation and plain language principles as feasible tools. The methodology involves motivating for a functional retranslation, with relevant examples from the source text and target text from the perspective of the researchers. The methodology further includes compiling a translation brief, and thereafter drafting the retranslation in accordance with the brief as stated. We conclude that the retranslated Chiluba text will be more accessible to the general Luba speakers.