Translation and research outcomes of the Bridging the Gap project: A case of the Luo language, spoken in northern Uganda

ABSTRACT

This article is one of the outputs of a research study conducted between 2015 and 2018 on national development and disabilities in four African countries. It focuses on the Uganda’s Luo language translation of the English instruments used in the study. The purpose was to identify possible guidelines for future researchers undertaking similar translations. One of the main lessons learnt is that translation is a process and requires cooperation amongst those involved. One key challenge was cultural difference. The translation admittedly improved communication between the researchers and the research participants, and this enhanced the reliability and validity of the findings and ultimately improved the quality of our research output. One of the key limitations is that it relied on bilingual professionals, who are reported to produce translations that are too formal.

KEYWORDS:

• Translation
• English
• Luo
• disability
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the contribution of Maria Kett, Mark Carew, Raymond Lang and Marcella Deluca, co-investigators from the Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre (LCDIDC), who made this work possible, especially in the design of the English version of the questionnaires. In addition, the following UK based research administrators who ensured that the research process was facilitated are also acknowledged: Ellie Cole, Lydia Dance and Emma Bird.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

More data supporting the disability research for which this translation was done can be accessed at www.ucl.ac.uk/leonard-cheshire-research or www.leonardcheshire.org.

Additional information

Funding

We wish to acknowledge the support of the Economic and Social Research Council/Department of Foreign and International Development (ESRC/DFID) Poverty Alleviation Research Grant Programme which funded this three-year project.

Notes on contributors

Julius Omona

Julius Omona is an Associate Professor at the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Makerere University, Uganda. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University in 1987, a master’s degree in Development Studies (Public Policy and Management) from the Institute of Social Studies, The Netherlands (1999) and a doctorate in Public Policy and Management from Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand, in 2004. He has extensively researched and published within the social sciences discipline. He is a member of many professional associations.

Nora Groce

Nora Groce is a medical anthropologist, working in the area of international development and global health. Her research interests include issues of disability in international health and development. She is the author of over 250 journal articles, books and reports and a regular advisor for UN agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations. She sits on a number of scientific advisory panels and review boards. Prior to coming to UCL, she was a Research Scientist at Harvard University (1986–1990) and Associate Professor in Global Health at Yale University and Director of the Yale/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre (1991–2008).