THE ROLE OF TRANSLATION IN IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION IN

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CAMEROON: THE CASE OF THE MINISTRY OF

TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION.
1.1 Background of the Study

The term translation can refer to an activity, a product and the scholarly field that studies both the
activity and the product(s). The distinction between the process and the product is not always clear-
cut, as the two concepts often overlap, whereby it can be difficult. This study focuses on the process
or activity that produces the product(s). Translation refers to the process of, or the product resulting
from, transferring or mediating written text(s) of different lengths (ranging from words and
sentences to entire books) from one human language to another. Translation involves the process of
linguistically transforming expressed messages from a specific source language (SL) to a target
language (TL) in order to make it more clear and understandable to the readers. Basically, translation
is transmitting the meaning expressed by the original writer (Ali, 1999). The translator connects the
two languages – the source and the target.

Discussions surrounding the theory and practice of translation in governance dates back to ancient
times and continued until the modern civilization. In ancient Greek, there was a distinction between
metaphase, which was the accurate and exact translation and paraphrase. Historical translation of
material among languages in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel (Hebrew language), Assyria (Syraic
language), and Anatolia dates back to several millennia ago (Chung, 2003). Partial translations of the
Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh in 2000 BCE into Asian languages in South West exists. Among the
bilingual documents in existence include the 1274 BCE Treaty of Kadesh that was between the
ancient Egyptian and Hittite empires (Garrett, 2007).

Studies by Ali (1999), Enrique (1996) and Gentzler (2001) examined the phenomenon with specific
reference to activities of the translation process. On the other hand, evidence by Jain (2007)
examined the role of translation in effective communication in many institutions. Most of the
existing empirical evidence underline the importance of the decision making function in translation,
with more weight being placed on the effectiveness of the communication and the translated
information. Most countries have multicultural and multilingual societies and it becomes significant
for the government institutions to translate the laws, policies, programs and any relevant
communication into languages that are favorable to each community. This is important because it
enhances communication, cohesion between citizens and stimulates citizen participation in
government policy and program design and implementation.

Empirical researchers find that translation and interpretation help to ease communication and
service delivery in government institutions. For example, Cheung, et al. (1993) looked at Hong Kong
as both bilingual and multilingual society ever since it was ceded to Britain in 1842. The vast majority
of the residents in the territory are Chinese, while those from the neighbor counties in Guangdong
Province speak Cantonese and English is also spoken by some communities (Chuen, 2001). The
administration of Hong Kong adopted translation culture and this has greatly improved
communication between the government and the local population, thus promoting service delivery.

In Kenya, the devolution governance system has facilitated and improved communication between
the local governments and central government through translation of both official and non-official
communications into local languages for the local people to understand and support government
policies and programs. This has improved service delivery in the country. Elsewhere, governments
use translation and interpretation to make communication in multilingual communities efficient and
effective. It is used in citizen mobilization, policy design and implementation as well as diplomacy.

Cameroon is considered in many journalistic circles as ‘’a macrocosm of Africa’’ owes its name to
several linguistic and historical factors, amongst which is, coincidentally, an act of translation or
interpretation. The Portuguese who were the first Europeans to arrive in Cameroon named it Rio
dos Cameroes, meaning ‘’river of prawns’’. The Spanish version ‘’Camerones’’ was Anglicised into
Cameroons. Scholars of Cameroon history such as Engelbert Mveng in Histoire de Cameroun and
Victor Julius Ngoh, in Cameroon in 1884 – 1985, One hundred years of History testify that English,
French and German have at various periods been the official languages of Cameroon. However, it
must be emphasized that English and French are the official languages, amidst a myriad of
approximately 236 ethnic languages spoken throughout the country. The Cameroonian language
policy which takes just English and French into account (hence called a bilingual policy in official
documents) is often referred to as a unifying measure (Echu 2003a). This unification policy is said to
avoid ethnic rivalry.

The extent of bilingualism in French and English in Cameroon is hard to estimate. Bilingual
proficiency varies from zero to near perfect at the universities, also depending on how semi-
bilingualism, functional bilingualism and passive bilingualism are defined. The constitution is clear
about the bilingual policy at all administrative levels (central, provincial and district). Article 38 of the
General instruction no. 2 of 4 June 1998 on the organization of the work of the government confirms
the official bilingualism. Only well-educated Cameroonians master the official languages. This
obviously creates communicative problems for citizens in their interaction with the administrative
authorities. Translation therefore acts as a communication bridge between those who speak only
one official language in getting help from the other official language. It is through this linguistic
intermediation by translators that government institutions are able to effectively communicate with
the citizens, foreigners and diplomats. The study investigates the role of translation in improving the
effectiveness of communication in government institutions in Cameroon using the case study of the
Ministry of Territorial Administration.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Statements about languages in official documents are important expressions of political will, but
verbal declarations are only one side of a multifaceted problem. The bilingual policy implies that
official documents and laws are published in both languages. The idea of English–French bilingualism
has nevertheless been on a theoretical level.

A majority of Cameroonians are not fluent in speaking or writing in either English or French. Majority
of the foreigners who enter the country also are usually versed in only one language. This study
seeks to investigate how these services have improved correspondence among government and
residents as well as foreigners.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1 General Objective

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of translation in improving the effectiveness of
communication in government institutions in Cameroon, specifically in MINAT.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1. To establish the activities involved in the translation processes of MINAT documents;

 2. To identify the importance of translation in the effectiveness of communication within
MINAT;
3. To establish issues affecting the translation process in MINAT;
4. To establish the relationship between translation and service delivery in MINAT.
1.4 Research Question

1.4.1 General Research Question

What role does translation play in improving the effectiveness of Communication in MINAT?

1.4.2 Specific Research Question

1. What are the activities involved in the translation processes of MINAT documents?
2. What is the importance of translation in the effectiveness of communication in MINAT?
3. What are the issues affecting translation process in MINAT?
4. What is the relationship between translation and service delivery in MINAT?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Findings from the examination may empower MINAT with the ideas of developing policies essential
for enhancing translation of its documents that are written in foreign languages.

Empirical outcomes of the study could significantly contribute to existing knowledge on translation
and effectiveness of communication in government institutions in Cameroon. The contribution
towards enhancing scholastic learning in a wide scope of issues about translation and effective
communication.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is defined by the content, geography, and time.

1.6.1 Content Scope

The subject matter of the study is directed on translation in improving the effectiveness of
communication in government institutions in Cameroon between 2016 and 2019. The preference of
the topic was attributed to actions taken by the government of Cameroon to enhance and speedy
the move towards effective bilingualism in the country due to the Anglophone crisis and the
resultant effects in terms of communication effectiveness in the Ministry of Territorial
administration.

1.6.2 Geographical Scope

The geographical context of the study is the City of Yaoundé at the Ministry of Territorial
Administration. The institution was favored in light of the fact that it services can are indispensable
for the running of the nation and the dependence of all citizens on its services at all levels (central,
Regional and district).

1.6.3 Time Scope

The study used data from the year 2016 to 2019. The three-year duration was preferred due to the
ability of the researcher to access and generate current data.

1.7 Organization of the Study

The study consists of five chapters. Chapter One contains a general introduction, that includes the
research problem, research questions, research objective. It also outlines the significance of the
research, research limitations, definitions of important concepts, and organization of the thesis.
Chapter two examines the Literature review, both empirical and theoretical as guided by the
research variables. Chapter three highlights the research methodology adopted by the researcher
during data collection, analysis and presentation. Chapter four details the findings of the study as
obtained from the field, and chapter five summarizes research findings, and draws conclusions and
recommendations.

1.8 Operational definition of terms

Translation
Translation refers to the process of, or the product resulting from, transferring or mediating written
text(s) of different lengths (ranging from words and sentences to entire books) from one human
language to another.

Effectiveness of Communication
Effective communication is the process of delivering messages to a target audience in a way that
guarantees satisfactory reception and understanding.

Bilingualism
It is the ability of an individual or members of a community to use two languages effectively. It also
denotes a country’s policy of having two official languages.