The impact of culturalism in the translation of STDs and HIV/Aids materials
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Date
2006-10-27T07:45:44Z
Authors
Lot, Makgopa
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Abstract
The scourge of HIV/AIDS continues to worsen in the country in spite of efforts made by
government and other stakeholders to combat this disease. This is reflected by the everincreasing
statistics of new cases of HIV infection that are reported every minute. This
rate of infection is believed to be influenced by factors such as cultural constructions that
inhibit efforts to educate the populace about the disease. The research focuses on the
extent to which cultural ideologies, as reflected in figurative expressions, render the task
of educating people about sexually related diseases difficult.
Translators seem to prefer figurative instead of literal language when they translate STDs
and AIDS-related education materials. The preference of the former renders the message
inaccessible to the average target audience. This study neither strives to conscientise and
sensitise the doubting Thomases about the danger of HIV/AIDS and STDs nor does it
seek a cure or treatment but a new way of communicating about these diseases. Ratzan
maintains that “until a vaccine or cure for HIV infection is discovered, communication is
all that we have” (1990: 257). This study deals with communication about HIV/AIDS. It
is believed that the research’s findings can be used to help reduce the rate of transmission
of this life-threatening infectious disease.
Description
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
School of Literature and Language Studies
9511112w
mokope@webmail.co.za
Keywords
Culturalism, Translation, HIV/Aids, vaccine