A Lexico-Syntactic Analysis of Errors in English Subtitles of Selected Yoruba Films

ABSTRACT This study undertakes a linguistic lexico-syntactic analysis of errors in selected Yoruba films subtitled in English. The research aims to identify, categorize, and examine the nature of errors that occur in the subtitles of Yoruba films translated into English. Using Error Analysis methods approach, delves on qualitative data analysis of Linguistics, the study analyzes a corpus of subtitles from selected Yoruba films. The findings reveal recurring patterns of lexico-syntactic errors, including mistranslations, misinterpretations, and linguistic inaccuracies, errors of omission, overgeneralization, concord, Tense errors and spelling errors.The study provides insights into the challenges of audiovisual translation and the need for improved translation strategies to enhance the quality of subtitles in Yoruba films. The research contributes to the field of translation studies, linguistic analysis, and Nigerian language studies. Language is learned and shred; it is an arbitrary system of vocal symbols through which human beings communicate in the same speech community. Errors in communication can be inhibitions towards effective communication and decoding of messages. This research sets out to carry out an error analysis on some selected Yoruba films subtitled in English. Errors were lifted from three Yoruba films subtitled in English and were numbered as attested in each film. Error analysis was then carried out on them. i.e the errors were identified, classified into their types, explain why such errors were made and corrections were proffered where necessary. The research found out that the major causes of these errors were inter-lingual and intra-lingual transfer. The research also found out that errors can cause a break-down in communication in Yoruba films to non-Yoruba viewers and in general. From these findings, the research project submitted that some of the errors that occur in Yoruba film subtitled in English are capable of causing inhibitions in the proper understanding of the message embedded in these Yoruba films to non-Yoruba viewers.