This research article is set to offer a descriptive analysis of the application of the explicitation strategy in the English literal translation of Sesotho proverbs found in Mokitimi's (1997) book entitled The Voice of the People. Adopting qualitative research, the basic method of content analysis was used while also drawing on Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS) theory. Purposive sampling was utilized to select a sample of twenty-seven (27) excerpts. This article identified three sub-types of explicitation that Mokitimi has employed in the English literal translation of some Sesotho proverbs. These types are addition, explanation, and implicit to explicit. The study disclosed that the mentioned strategies have been employed in a specific context. Such context is where Mokitimi (1997), as a translator, felt the need to add some further details in the target language. Furthermore, the study revealed the factors influencing the mentioned contextual use, and these are: a certain information has only been implied in the ST, a relevant word was non-existent, and lastly, the translator's background knowledge has interfered with the translation process. The study has not only observed that the explicitation strategy is able to bridge the non-equivalence gap that existed between Sesotho and English, but also adds clarity to the target readership.
Research Article | Open Access | Download Full Text
Volume 4 | Issue 1 | Year 2026 | Article Id: LLL-V4I1P101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59232/LLL-V4I1P101
Explicitation in the English Literal Translation of Sesotho Proverbs: A Descriptive Analysis of Mokitimi's (1997) The Voice of the People
Relebohile Margrett Molulela, Neo Makhalanyane
| Received | Revised | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2025 | 16 Dec 2025 | 18 Jan 2026 | 20 Feb 2026 |
Citation
Relebohile Margrett Molulela, Neo Makhalanyane. “Explicitation in the English Literal Translation of Sesotho Proverbs: A Descriptive Analysis of Mokitimi's (1997) The Voice of the People.” DS Journal of Language, Linguistics and Literature, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2026.
Abstract
Keywords
Proverbs, Explicitation, Literal Translation, Addition, Explanation, Implicit to Explicit.
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