UNDERSTANDING MEANING SHIFTS IN FACEBOOK CULTURE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSIONS THROUGH LEXICAL, RHETORICAL, AND GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS
Abstract
Purpose of Study: This study sought to identify lexical, rhetorical, and grammatical mismatches contributing to meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions on Facebook, particularly between English and Kiswahili translations.
Problem Statement: The challenge in developing natural language processing technologies for social media platforms like Facebook lies in preserving cultural integrity while reducing meaning shifts when translating or interpreting expressions across different languages and cultures. Such shifts often lead to miscommunication, loss of cultural meaning, and misconceptions about culturally significant terms, ultimately affecting intercultural understanding.
Methodology: The research employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive research design. The study focused on 11 Facebook pages, chosen through purposive sampling that had a high number of followers and were based in Kenya. The analysis involved identifying meaning shifts, stylistic, and grammatical errors in the translations, particularly focusing on posts within conversations on the selected Facebook pages.
Results: The findings revealed that meaning shifts in translating culture-specific expressions are common on Facebook. For instance, Kenyan dishes such as "ugali" and "Nyama Choma" were often reduced to overly simplified translations like "cornmeal" and "grilled meat," missing their rich cultural significance. Fashion expressions like "kanga" were mistranslated, stripping away the deeper meanings tied to heritage and tradition. Similarly, cultural architecture terms like "Simba" from the Luo community were reduced to basic descriptors like "small house," failing to convey the structure’s social and symbolic value.
Conclusion: Meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions on Facebook negatively affect the accurate portrayal of Kenyan cultural practices, particularly in food, fashion, and architecture. These shifts undermine cultural understanding and lead to simplified or distorted representations that fail to convey the true significance of cultural terms.
Recommendation: Social media platforms like Facebook should improve their translation tools to reflect cultural nuances accurately and involve local experts to ensure contextually relevant translations.
Keywords: Meaning Shifts, Culture-Specific Expressions, Facebook Translation, Lexical and Rhetorical Mismatches, Digital Communication
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