Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities

Aknwm sl (19402018), renowned writer, scholar, and sentinel of indigenous African languages, contributed to the development of Yorb literary traditions by producing most of his literary works in Yorb. His artistic pacesetting in Yorb literature included his anthology, f m ti won rf Mr n (1978), which contains poems composed over a significant period in his life. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities considers sls language use in this anthology; his contributions to the promotion of Yorb and African linguistic and cultural values; and the procedures, benefits, and challenges of translating his poetry into English. In so doing, Akinloy j examines the understudied relationship between African oral traditions and contemporary African literature, addressing in particular the influential role of traditional forms of praise-singing in contemporary Yorb poetry.