BIKMAN EDIPUSU OEDIPUS REX

One of my aims in translating "Oedipus Rex" into Solomons Pijin was to prove that one of the great classics could survive the translation. "Bikman Edipusu" has been staged in Honiara at least twice.

From the title page:

BIKMAN EDIPUSU	OEDIPUS REX
Wanfala Plei wea SOFOKLIS i raetem	by Sophocles
an Hugh Young Momoka i senisim hem kam long Pijin blong Solomon	translated into Solomon Island Pijin by Hugh Young

Disfala plei ia, hem i wanfala kaen plei wea olketa i kolem "Greek tragedy", olsem plei, blong kandre olketa i kolem Gris, fo mekem iumi sore an krae. ?From wanem nao olketa i wande olsem? Disfala plei ia, olketa long Gris, olketa i wakem olsem haf blong lotu blong olketa, an olketa i se, sapos iumi sore an krae fogud nao, hemi mekem spirit blong iumi klia moa. Plei ia, hemi fo tisim olketa, olketa i mas no eni-enikaen.

"Olketa, lukluk nao. Desfala Edipusu ia,
hemi save tumas.
Olketa i bin laekem hem.
Hemi ris man.
Bat lukim hem nao.

"Dastawe mi save sei
iu mas no kolem eni man hapi
bifoa taem hemi filimap hapi
insaet long laef blong hem
an kasem taem hemi dae,
wea hemi hapi iet."

The Greek tragedy, complete
(based on the English of E F Watling),
with staging suggestions and study questions.
51pp, 1 illus.

The Mi-Les Desktop Vanity Publishing Company.

ISBN 0-473-00519-0.

Back to Hugh Young's index page