‘Why I translated Shakespeare’s Hamlet into Pidgin English’

WHEN Ogini Bernard first came in contact with William Shakespeare’s works, he didn’t understand them despite reading them on several occasions. After gaining admission into the University of Ibadan to study Theatre Arts, following a period of study at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where he studied Law, he began to comprehend Shakespeare’s plays. Bernard, however, came to realise that he was not alone in not understanding the works of the great literary genius, and thus the journey to translate Hamlet into Pidgin English began.

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However, why Pidgin English? Bernard explained that the majority of Nigerians understand the language, irrespective of educational qualification.

He said: “In fact, the Pidgin English, which is a corruption of the English language, evolved when those who couldn’t communicate fluently in English language when the British colonialists ruled over Nigeria, tried in communicating with the language.

“Pidgin language is now widely-accepted all over the country, and in other parts of the English speaking world,” Bernard said.

On his work, Hamlet For Pidgin, Bernard said because he could not immediately understand the works of Shakespeare, “I realised that many other people would be in the same situation that I was, and in order to help them, I came about translating Hamlet into Pidgin English.

“The acceptance of the work has been massive, and people outside the country are also commending me for the work I did.

“I also have a performance troupe through which I stage Shakespeare’s plays; we have performed at the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, among other places.”

“Apart from Hamlet, I am also working on adapting and translating Romeo and Juliet, while I am also working on my own poetry, drama and prose,” Bernard, who has a Masters degree in Theatre Arts and specialises in Dramatic Literature and Criticism, said.

While making a case for Pidgin English, Bernard said: “Pidgin language has, over the years, evolved from a language which those who couldn’t communicate in the English language, to a stand-alone language.

“Pidgin English is now widely-embraced as a language on its own, and apart from the English language, Pidgin English is the most widely-spoken language in the country.”

However, Bernard’s foray into publishing in Pidgin English has not come without its challenges; despite the fact that his Hamlet for Pidgin was well-accepted, the issue of marketing made it difficult for the book to go far.

“The agreement I had with my publisher was that I would work more on the marketing aspect, while he would do the publishing. As a result, I have not been able to take the books to where I would have loved.

“Although I published the book about five years ago, I am still not satisfied with its reach, and I know that this book has a need to fill in the market, as it simplifies Shakespeare’s Hamlet. I will, however, continue to work towards ensuring that the book is made available to those who want to enjoy the work, or those who need to understand it,” Bernard said.