Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities
The Poetry (Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran) of Akinwumi Isola
Will be published approx. on 5. February 2026
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-1-5013-9062-3 (ISBN)
Description
Akinwumi Isola (1940-2018), renowned writer, scholar, and sentinel of indigenous African languages, contributed to the development of Yoruba literary traditions by producing most of his literary works in Yoruba.
His artistic pacesetting in Yoruba literature included his anthology, Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran (1978), which contains poems composed over a significant period in his life. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities considers Isola's language use in this anthology; his contributions to the promotion of Yoruba and African linguistic and cultural values; and the procedures, benefits, and challenges of translating his poetry into English.
In so doing, Akinloye Ojo examines the understudied relationship between African oral traditions and contemporary African literature, addressing in particular the influential role of traditional forms of praise-singing in contemporary Yoruba poetry.
His artistic pacesetting in Yoruba literature included his anthology, Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran (1978), which contains poems composed over a significant period in his life. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities considers Isola's language use in this anthology; his contributions to the promotion of Yoruba and African linguistic and cultural values; and the procedures, benefits, and challenges of translating his poetry into English.
In so doing, Akinloye Ojo examines the understudied relationship between African oral traditions and contemporary African literature, addressing in particular the influential role of traditional forms of praise-singing in contemporary Yoruba poetry.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Illustrations
17 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
610 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5013-9062-3 (9781501390623)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Akinloye Ojo
Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities
The Poetry (Afaimo ATi AWon Arofo Miiran) of AkiNwumi ISoLa
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic USA
€108.99
Available for download
Akinloye Ojo
Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities
The Poetry (Afaimo ATi AWon Arofo Miiran) of AkiNwumi ISoLa
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic USA
€108.99
Available for download
Person
Akinloye Ojo is Professor of Comparative Literature and Intercultural Studies and Director of the African Studies Institute at University of Georgia, USA. His publications include In Flight: A Collection of Poems (2000), Africans and Globalization: Linguistic, Literary, and Technological Contents and Discontents (2017), Gender Equality and Human Development in Africa (2018), and Language, Society, and Empowerment in Africa and Its Diaspora (2022).
Content
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Akintunde Akinyemi
1. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities (LTPR): An Introduction
Part One: Akinwumi Isola and His Poetry
2. The Honest Man: Yoruba Writer, Poet, and Language Sentinel
3. The Poetry Anthology: Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran
Part Two: Akinwumi Isola's Language Dexterity
4. Promoting African Languages: The Honest Man's Quest for Splendor and Fairness
5. Yoruba Oral Traditions and Akinwumi Isola's Poetry
6. The Proverbial Bard: Akinwumi Isola's Poetic Engagement of Yoruba Proverbs
Part Three: Akinwumi Isola's Poetry Rendered in English
7. Literary Translation and Cultural Understanding: Akinwumi Isola's Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran as Working Data
8. The Affectionate Bard: Love and Other Extraordinary Emotions in Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran
9. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities (LTPR): A Conclusion
Notes
References
Appendix: Supplementary Material - Two Secondary Collections
I. Akinwumi Isola: A List of Selected Works
II. Akinwumi Isola: A Pictorial Presentation
Index
Foreword by Akintunde Akinyemi
1. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities (LTPR): An Introduction
Part One: Akinwumi Isola and His Poetry
2. The Honest Man: Yoruba Writer, Poet, and Language Sentinel
3. The Poetry Anthology: Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran
Part Two: Akinwumi Isola's Language Dexterity
4. Promoting African Languages: The Honest Man's Quest for Splendor and Fairness
5. Yoruba Oral Traditions and Akinwumi Isola's Poetry
6. The Proverbial Bard: Akinwumi Isola's Poetic Engagement of Yoruba Proverbs
Part Three: Akinwumi Isola's Poetry Rendered in English
7. Literary Translation and Cultural Understanding: Akinwumi Isola's Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran as Working Data
8. The Affectionate Bard: Love and Other Extraordinary Emotions in Afaimo Ati Awon Arofo Miiran
9. Language, Translation, and Poetic Realities (LTPR): A Conclusion
Notes
References
Appendix: Supplementary Material - Two Secondary Collections
I. Akinwumi Isola: A List of Selected Works
II. Akinwumi Isola: A Pictorial Presentation
Index