Integrating Cultural Aspects of the Target Audience in Literary Translation: A Case Study of Barua Ndefu kama Hii

This study examines the importance of considering the cultural aspects of the target audience in literary translation using the novel Barua Ndefu kama Hii.Clement Maganga translated this novel into Barua Ndefu kama Hii from So Long a Letter, originally written by Mariama Bâ in French as Une si Longue Lettre.The results of the analysis show that, to a large extent, the translator considered the cultural elements of the target audience by applying Polysystem Theory, whereby smaller cultural systems of the target language are reflected in the translated text.The study highlights the importance of cultural consideration in persuading target readers, enhancing comprehension, minimizing difficulties in selecting appropriate equivalents, and preventing potential cultural conflicts.The findings imply that literary translators should be trained to systematically analyze target-culture norms during translation, while educators and curriculum developers should integrate culturally oriented translation theories into translator training programmes to promote culturally responsive and authentic literary translations.