The task of the translator and Ngugi's Decolonising The Mind

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Research Prompt-Critical Thinking
Walter Benjamin argues that translations ought to focus on the relationship between the source and target language rather than conforming to the reader. Translation from an original text to the target language partly depends on historical relevance, but translation goes beyond reproducing or copying the original. In “Decolonizing the Mind”, Ngugi wa Thiong’o focuses on the place of language in history, culture, and identity, and he supports literally translating texts in African languages into European languages. Walter Benjamin uses the critical theory to challenge perceptions about translation, while Ngugi’s engagement with history is based on the post-colonialism approach.
The two works focus on the role of language in a society, but the writers use different approaches as they tackle different subjects and write to diverse audiences. To Benjamin, language reflects meaning and the literal translation is one way that translated works are linked to the original (St André 105). Differentiating the approaches between Benjamin and Ngugi then would provide insights on how they understand the place of language in society. Ngugi’s focus on African language highlights the case for being authentic and challenges the notion that African literature has a minor role in the literary world.
For the translators, the difference in languages is a challenge that they have to overcome for the translation to be effective, as they look into ways to overcome the differences. Translation does not necessarily have to reflect an accurate meaning of the original text, as the minor details are reconstituted and reassembled in the translated work (Sandbank 220). For the translator, language is a powerful tool to get the intended meaning and intention, where context provides meaning, and the translation does not have to be word-for-word. Additionally, Benjamin challenges the notion that translations are meant for the reader.
Imperialism and neo-colonialism have influenced the African literary landscape where most texts on Africa are in European languages. There have those who look to pursue western interests and are ashamed of their own culture, and this has led to the exclusion of African literature texts (Capan 2). Ngugi believes that one’s first language is so important to their identity that “Decolonizing the Mind” was his last book in English, and he would start writing in native language kikuyu. Colonial discourse and history are a recurring theme in Ngugi’s work, and he links them to the predominant use of European languages in Africa, and while this is practical because there are thousands of languages spoken, the status of English and other European languages is elevated (Thiong'o 6).
In the research, both writers highlight the power of language, with Ngugi looking at the past, and Benjamin focuses more on how translation reflects the relationship between languages. For the readers to understand a text there is a need for the meaning to be clear and in context regardless of whether the work is translated. Ngugi’s stance that he needs to write in Kikuyu and abandon English, limits his influence and r...