Cultural translation activities: Ethical-methodological propositions to participatory research of occupations based on Amerindian perspectivism

Abstract

ABSTRACT Participatory research is a dynamic process of social action that generates knowledge based on cycles of reflection about the concrete historical reality of individuals and collective participants. Occupation-based interventions lack studies that address in depth the epistemological, ontological, and linguistic problems present in this type of research, especially in the current pandemic context. This article describes the conditions of paradigmatic (ontological), epistemological, and methodological elaboration of a participatory approach named Cultural Translation Activity (CTA). CTA emerged from participatory research involving six social workers in a Brazilian municipality during the pandemic, over four weeks. It is based on the Amerindian translation paradigm, therefore, recognizes the difference between cultures and uses it to produce knowledge through an equivocal process. By reporting ‘how to do it’ and ‘why to do it’, the findings contribute to the qualitative validation of the approach. Furthermore, the approach is in tune with the knowledge of the South; providing insights into cultural humility applied to occupation studies and offering alternatives for action and investigation committed to critical/occupational awareness. Thus, this article brings original contributions to the theorization and systematization of participatory research from an occupational perspective.