Yorùbá Poetry Workshop: Translating poet Túbọ̀sún Ọládàpọ̀

We return to the work of Nigerian poet & broadcaster Túbọ̀sún Ọládàpọ̀ AKA 'the loquacious parrot' with linguist Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún.

Túbọ̀sún Ọládàpọ̀ is a Nigerian poet, playwright and radio-personality known as ‘the loquacious parrot’. He also has his own record label Olatubosun Records that ends and promotes the work of indigenous-language artists and folk poets across the Yorùbá speaking parts of Africa. This is the PTC’s second workshop looking at his work with Linguist and cultural activist Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún.
Túbọ̀sún Ọládàpọ̀ has recorded many poetry albums, accompanied by songs and dance. His published poetry includes Aroye Akewi (Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) and Arofo Awon Omode (poetry for children). His plays Ògún Lákáayé and E gbádé Fáládé were joint prize winners of the Oxford University Press drama competition in 1970. He has produced over two hundred other artists producing in Yorùbá.
Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún has worked for many years as a linguist (currently at Google Nigeria), lexicographer (Oxford University Press dictionaries), Fulbright scholar of Yorùbá (Southern Illinois University), and schoolteacher of English in Lagos, Nigeria. In 2016, he was the recipient of the “Special Prize” of Premio Ostana, given for work in indigenous language advocacy.
This is the third workshop in our Spring 2020 season of workshops. At each of our collaborative translation sessions we bring start with a poem by a respected living poet from Asia, Africa or Latin America and produce an English translation. This hands on prices gives participants a chance to experience the fine balancing act of the translation process and helps these poets find a new audience in a second language.
There is no need to know Yorùbá to take part in this workshop. We are open to everyone with an interest in poetry or translation.