If you listen to the radio, watch TV, read newspapers or surf the internet, there is a high probability that you have encountered with an advert ending with the phrase 'terms and conditions' apply.
Business Dictionary defines 'terms and conditions' as general and special arrangements, provisions, requirements, rules, specifications, and standards that form an integral part of an agreement or contract.
Translated into Kiswahili language, 'terms and conditions apply' reads 'sheria na masharti kutumika'. Perfect translation, one may argue, that does not alter the English version of the same.
The problem comes in when the same phrase is translated into Kikuyu language. It is an error that has been overlooked for a long time with no efforts being made by Kikuyu copywriters in media houses and advertising agencies to correct it.
As a result, the consumers of Kikuyu media continues to be fed with a distorted message that may or may already have had far-reaching consequences among some consumers.
But where is the error you ask?
Kikuyu translation of the same phrase goes like, "mawatho na mitaratara kuhuthika". My problem with this Kikuyu translation arises from the usage of the word 'mitaratara' which is the plural form of 'mutaratara'.
'Mitaratara' translated into English would simply be 'processes'. Now refer to our earlier definition of 'terms and conditions' and try to fit in 'processes' or substitute it with any other word closer to it in meaning. You realize the word 'conditions' cannot be a synonym to 'processes'.
The word that would be a synonym to 'conditions' would be 'requirements'. 'Requirements' translated into Kikuyu would be 'mabatarania' or 'mendekana'.
Therefore, the Kikuyu version of 'terms and conditions apply' should be something like 'mawatho na mabatarania/mendekana kuhuthika', sounds odd?
It may, but it gets you closer if not giving you the actual meaning of the same phrase while in its English and Kiswahili versions.
I stand to be corrected but, the usage of 'mitaratara' even in the wider meaning of the phrase, is not only misleading but out of order!
#hivisasaoriginal #Upekuzi #maisha