The impact of indigenous language proficiency on the competence of the modern day literary trainee translator: a paradox of perspective

This study is based on the premise that the indigenous language or mother tongue can be a veritable catalyst to the competence of the translator on the one hand and the literary trainee translator on the other hand, given that translators try to make sense out of the new linguistic and conceptual world through the linguistic world they are already familiar with. The study therefore, set out to determine how the literary trainee translator’s competence can be enhanced through indigenous language or mother tongue proficiency as well as assess the impact of indigenous language proficiency on the competence of the modern day literary trainee translator. The study employed a survey research design and used the quantitative method to collect data from 50 (fifty) second year students from the 2024/2025 batch of Advanced School of Translators and Interpreters (ASTI), University of Buea. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools comprising frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation as well as multiple response sets. According to the findings, most of the respondents were of the opinion that a good mastery of their indigenous languages was of paramount importance and therefore, has a positive impact on their training, as it helps to build a strong foundation in them while equally enabling them to develop critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills. The study therefore urges literary trainee translators to endeavour to have a good mastery of their local languages as this can enable them acquire lifelong skills and competences in translation.