Evaluation of interpretation during congregational services and public religious retreats in south-west Nigeria

In most spiritual gatherings in Southwest Nigeria, as observed today, preaching is in English or in Yoruba and then interpreted in Yoruba or English. English is an official language in Nigeria and Yoruba is the local language in most of the Southwest of the country. Most people are to some extent bilingual.The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of the interpretation carried out in those spiritual gatherings. Questionnaires were administered. Data were collated and analyzed. A total of 39 respondents (78%) were satisfied with the output of the interpretation from English to Yoruba while only 48% were satisfied with the interpretation from Yoruba to English. The study concludes that interpretation from English to Yoruba is being handled better and more training be given to those interpreting from Yoruba to English.