Bilingual Conversion in the Translation of ICH Terms: A Study on the Psychological Processes of Translators.

Abstract

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) terms are unique expressions of cultural knowledge and practices that are deeply rooted in a particular region or community. Accurately translating ICH terms is crucial for sharing this knowledge and promoting cross-cultural understanding. However, the complex nature of ICH terms, including their regional and cultural specificity, means that mistranslations can easily occur during the translation process. In addition to linguistic and cultural barriers, psychological factors can also impact the accuracy of translations. Translation psychology, a new discipline that examines the psychological process of bilingual conversion and its cognitive mechanisms, can provide insights into the translation of ICH terms. This paper proposes an information processing model of translating ICH terms based on translation psychology, which examines the psychological processes of translators during the translation of Chinese ICH terms into English. Through questionnaires and translation exercises, the study compares and analyzes the psychological activity process of the translators, verifies the expression of translation psychology in the translation of ICH terms, and identifies the characteristics of students' translations. The study's subjects were non-English major sophomores with diverse academic backgrounds, randomly sampled from a representative polytechnic university in Guangdong. The findings of this study are significant for improving the quality of translations and promoting cross-cultural understanding of ICH terms. By understanding the psychological factors involved in the translation of ICH terms, we can overcome language and cultural barriers and accurately convey the rich cultural heritage embodied in these terms.