Translation Challenges in Rendering Yoruba Idiomatic Expressions into English: Case of Selected Texts

This study examines the translation challenges encountered in rendering Yoruba idiomatic expressions into English, using a selection of Yoruba literary texts, folktales, and official documents published between 2019 and 2024. Idiomatic expressions are culturally embedded linguistic units whose meaning cannot be derived compositionally, and their translation poses significant challenges of cultural fidelity and semantic equivalence. The study is grounded in Nida's dynamic equivalence theory and adopts a qualitative textual analysis methodology. A sample of 60 idiomatic expressions was extracted from six selected texts and subjected to comparative analysis of available English translations. The analysis evaluates translation strategies employed, including literal translation, paraphrase, functional equivalence, and cultural substitution, assessing their effectiveness in conveying both semantic content and cultural meaning. Findings reveal that literal translation is the most commonly used strategy but produces the highest rate of cultural meaning loss, while functional equivalence strategies, though less frequent, achieve greater communicative effectiveness. The study also documents instances where no English functional equivalent exists, requiring explanatory footnotes or cultural glossaries. These findings have implications for Yoruba-English translation practice in literary, educational, and official contexts. The study recommends the development of a comprehensive Yoruba idiom translation guide for professional and academic translators. Keywords: translation challenges, Yoruba idioms, dynamic equivalence, English translation, Nida.