Author(s)

Mafemani Joseph Baloyi

Department of African Languages, Language Practice Section, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.

The lack of Xitsonga technical terminology in specialist subject fields is a predominant drawback for translators. This study explores the translatability of culturally oriented terms on human reproduction and illustrates how the linguistic items impact translation from English into Xitsonga. It employs a descriptive qualitative research method to advance a framework of translating culturally vulgar words in Xitsonga. Data for the study is cross-cultural in nature and was extracted from a Grade 12 Life Sciences textbook through content analysis. Data analysis was carried out through diachronic and synchronic procedures focusing on the affixes to the term conceived through transliteration. The study is underpinned by a neuro-psycho-social theory of speech. The findings indicate problems of word-coinage versus transliteration. The study concludes that, transliteration is a better frame to utter the Xitsonga culturally vulgar words without distorting the source language words and can also serve as a vocabulary builder of acceptable culturally vulgar words within the context of Life Sciences and generally, in the Xitsonga linguistic community.

Affixation, Culturally Vulgar Words, Descriptive Qualitative Research, Neuro-Psycho-Social Theory of Speech, Translation, Transliteration

Baloyi, M.J. (2023) Transliteration as a Solution to Xitsonga Culturally Vulgar Words Expressing Human Anatomy from English within the Context of Life Sciences. Open Access Library Journal, 10, 1-20. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1110094.