Cultural Translation Research Articles

Translating Self and Other in Travel Writing: Fuchsia Dunlop’s Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper as a Case Study

Travel writing that transcends cultural boundaries often engages with the depiction of regional culinary cultures, thereby offering a unique lens through which to examine the representation of Other’s foodways and the traveller’s transformation. Drawing upon the metaphorical concept of translation as a form of crossing, this paper employs a tripartite analytical framework – interlingual translation, cultural translation, and self translation – to scrutinise Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper, a gastrotourism text set in China by Fuchsia Dunlop. Taking food as a semiotic system, this study aims to explore how Dunlop’s cultural identity is captured in her self translation and how the identity is reflected in her interlingual and cultural translation of Chinese food. It reveals that Dunlop transforms from an outsider to an insider of Chinese food, and repositions herself as a different insider who values traditional Chinese foodways. This evolving identity is mirrored in her use of the host language (Chinese) for translating culinary expressions, and in her strategies of de-stigmatising and historicising Chinese culinary practices within cultural translation. Dunlop’s narrative underscores a positive attitude towards translation, highlighting its gains for both the source culture and the cultural translator.

Translation of Culture-loaded Terms in Martial Arts Fiction from the Perspective of Distancing: A Case Study of <i>Legends of the Condor Heroes</i>

This paper is a descriptive study conducted under the framework of cultural distancing in Liu Miqing’s cultural translation theory. This study classifies the culture-loaded terms in Legends of the Condor Heroes into culture-reflecting, culture-projecting, culture-refracting, and culture-insinuating based on distancing. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, various translation strategies and approaches are identified in correspondence to the four categories. Generally speaking, approaches under the domestication strategy are used more frequently than those of the foreignization strategy; and the larger the distancing, the higher frequency of using the domestication strategy. In addition, the combination of approaches under both strategies has also proved effective. This study manages to establish the correlation between distancing degree and the choice of translation strategies and approaches, therefore providing a new perspective for exploring the translation of culture-loaded terms in martial arts fiction.

“Third Space”, Cultural Translation and Linguistic Hospitality in Sinéad Morrissey’s Poetry

ABSTRACT The exploration of the intermediary state or space is a central trope in the prominent contemporary Northern Irish poet Sinéad Morrissey’s poetry, especially in her early collections where movement and travel feature prominently. As a significant and distinctive part of her poetic creation, Morrissey’s poems about her encounters with China and Japan are selected and reprinted in her latest poetry collection: Found Architecture: Selected Poems (2020). Focusing on her poems relating to China in Found Architecture, this essay probes how Morrissey codifies her experience of different aspects of China, involving language, culture, literature and history, within her poems and how she interrogates and reflects on her perspectives not only during her travels but also in the process of her aesthetic creation. Drawing on the theories of Homi K. Bhabha and Paul Ricoeur, it also analyses how Morrissey explores and illuminates the theorisations of cultural translation and hospitality in her poetry.

A Validated Cultural Adaptation and Translation of the CLEFT-Q Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) from English into Italian

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is a prevalent congenital malformation, affecting approximately 1 to 7 children per 1000 live births, with consequences impacting both appearance and functional abilities such as speech, hearing, and orodental health. These factors contribute to significant psychological challenges and reduced quality of life (QoL) in affected individuals. Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that begins during pregnancy and continues into young adulthood, ideally managed by specialized centers with dedicated cleft teams. In Italy, the Cleft Center of Milan, part of the European Reference Network (ERN CRANIO), is a leading facility providing care for CL/P. International collaboration and standardized outcome measures, like Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), are essential in ensuring high-quality patient-centered care. The CLEFT-Q is a widely used, CL/P-specific PROM developed to assess aspects of facial appearance, psychosocial well-being, and functional abilities. Though originally developed in English, the Cleft Center of Milan, along with ERN CRANIO, undertook the translation and validation of the CLEFT-Q into Italian to enable its implementation in Italy. The translation process adhered to the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines and included expert review, patient interviews, and adjustments based on participant feedback. The study confirmed the effectiveness of the CLEFT-Q in capturing relevant patient-reported outcomes in Italian-speaking populations. It also highlighted the importance of standardized PROMs in improving CL/P treatment outcomes and facilitating international research collaboration. The paper concludes with recommendations for the integration of PROMs in CL/P care and explores alternative PROMs, such as the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and the Cleft Hearing, Appearance, and Speech Questionnaire (CHASQ), which could complement the CLEFT-Q for more comprehensive patient assessments.

Social technology and rescue of native seeds in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo

This study analyzes the recovery and conservation of potato landraces in the Venezuelan Andes Páramo, specifically in the Mérida region. Smallholder potato farmers in the Venezuelan Andes have been actively creating knowledge, processes, and socio-technical artifacts necessary for the recovery of potato seeds and other types of plant genetic resources critical for food and agriculture. This effort has involved diverse socio-technical dynamics, engaging both human and non-human actors, with the support of universities, research institutions, local and national governments, etc. These initiatives counter historical trends, such as the erosion of complex genetic resource systems, genetic resources, the impacts of agricultural modernization, dependency on oil and imported agricultural technologies, and more recent challenges, such as food shortages. Using traditional techniques such as Tinopós—underground caves for seed storage—and social appropriation of technological processes, including genetic improvement, Andean smallholder farmers have successfully rescued ancient potato varieties while developing new ones. Fieldwork conducted in 2019 included a documentary review, thematic analysis, and a technology inventory. The findings reveal a close relationship between the diversity of Andean root and tuber crops, the unique biophysical and climatic conditions of the Páramo, and the traditional knowledge of peasant communities residing in these territories. The study underscores the importance of border relations and cultural translation between different knowledge systems in recovering and conserving native potato seeds. These efforts represent a locally driven initiative to construct social technologies for food sovereignty and sustainable local development.

Cultural Translation as a Transformative Pedagogical Tool: Enhancing Intercultural Competence in Modern Education

In today’s interconnected global landscape, education must prioritize the development of intercultural and transcultural competence to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in culturally diverse environments. This paper investigates cultural translation as a transformative pedagogical tool, demonstrating its potential to foster intercultural and transcultural communication through innovative curriculum design. Cultural translation, conceptualized as both a theoretical framework and a practical strategy, enables the integration of diverse cultural perspectives into educational practices, encouraging students to engage critically and empathetically with global cultures. The study delves into the theoretical underpinnings of cultural translation, highlighting its ability to bridge cultural divides and promote mutual understanding. Through practical applications such as case studies, bilingual interactions, and cultural mediation projects, the research illustrates how cultural translation can enhance students' awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity. These strategies not only deepen cultural engagement but also foster essential skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and adaptability. Furthermore, the paper addresses key challenges in implementing cultural translation, including the risks of cultural misrepresentation and oversimplification. It advocates for ethical solutions, such as fostering inclusivity, promoting nuanced representations, and encouraging active dialogue among educators and students. By embedding cultural translation into the educational framework, this study underscores its potential as a transformative tool for cultivating global competence. In doing so, it positions cultural translation as a critical component of modern education, preparing students to navigate the complexities of a globalized world while fostering mutual respect and understanding across cultures.

Translation as a soft power resource: exploring the possibilities, scope, and challenges of an interdisciplinary approach

ABSTRACT This paper advances theoretical insights into the application of the concept of soft power within translation studies, addressing the gaps left by contemporary research on cultural diplomacy, translation, and politics. It focuses on translation as a soft-power resource and offers a critical reflection on the possibilities, utility, and challenges of this interdisciplinary approach. The first section reviews how the literature on translation and power has contributed to shaping theoretical insights in the past. The second section deepens the discussion by exploring the gaps in this state of the art – specifically, the relational nature of translation and its role in shaping collectivities, considering the interactions between state and non-state actors. We propose broadening the analysis of soft-power strategies to critically assess their effectiveness and the complex notions of success and failure often associated with them. The third section highlights promising research avenues and examines crossovers between the ten papers in this special issue. Finally, the fourth section summarizes these articles, organizing them into three thematic threads: (1) translation, soft power, and cultural diplomacy; (2) translation, soft power, and modes of consecration in the literary field; and (3) translation, soft power, and non-literary genres, and translation, soft power, and periodicals.

Analysis of the Translation and External Communication Strategy of Traditional Chinese Culture under “the Belt and Road” Initiative

Analysis of the Translation and External Communication Strategy of Traditional Chinese Culture under “the Belt and Road” Initiative

Translating of Knowledge Cultures in the Context of Epistemic Justice

The article considers the situation of the need to translate first the culture of knowledge, and only then the text created on its basis. This problem is considered on the basis of the concept of paradigms of scientific knowledge by the American historian of science Thomas Kuhn and the concept of epistemic cultures by the German philosopher of science Karin Knorr Cetina. The causes of epistemic injustice are traced as deliberate or unforced losses of knowledge during its transmission at the individual, community and institutional levels. The purpose of the article is to consider, using the example of epistemic culture as a subject of professional translation, a more general situation of caring for epistemic justice in the translation of cultures of knowledge. It was found that the translation of a scientific text from or into a foreign language is not only a matter of linguistics, but also of that science, the issues of which are subject to translation. Professional translation of a scientific text requires taking into account the entire integrity of the specific academic experience that the author invested in a certain scientific text. Moreover, the establishment of epistemic justice thanks to the adequate translation of not only the scientific text, but also the culture of knowledge (epistemic culture) that lies at its foundation, not only preserves the accuracy of the scientific message, but also often draws attention to those aspects of scientific research that previously remained unnoticed.

A Study on the English Translation of Culture-loaded Words in The Message from the Perspective of Cultural Translation Theory

A Study on the English Translation of Culture-loaded Words in The Message from the Perspective of Cultural Translation Theory

Internationalization at a distance via virtual mobility in the Global South: Advances and challenges

AbstractInternationalization of higher education (HE) has increasingly been a subject of interest among scholars, due to developments in the field, such as increased student and staff mobility, inter‐university research and teaching partnerships, and rapid technological advancements. Internationalization efforts have mainly focused on the recruitment of international students and staff to universities in the Global North, the establishment of satellite campuses overseas and research collaborations. To compete on a more even footing, countries in the Global South have increasingly invested in their HE systems and actively promoted themselves as international destinations in this changing global landscape. In this paper, we discuss the strategies and limitations of internationalization at a distance (IaD) with a specific focus on Tanzania. As an emerging destination for international students, the country's expanding HE sector is positioning itself as a global and competitive international destination through diverse efforts such as virtual mobility. This paper draws on interviews with key staff from an open and distance‐learning university in Tanzania to examine and theorize the challenges relating to the provision of online distance learning (ODL) to non‐mobile international students. The theoretical lens is informed by the capabilities approach and ideas of conversion factors and agency. The paper looks beyond existing limitations and proposes the idea of a responsive agency that draws on international collaborations as a way of overcoming contextual challenges through pooling and sharing resources where they exist. In this way, institutions are not independent of their affiliation with others, they belong to a community. This broadens the practice of internationalization to fostering supportive collaboration aimed at improving access to quality international HE. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Rising technology‐supported activities have created new opportunities for universities internationalization. Education plays a key role in intercultural understanding. Internationalization of educational research and services improve quality by requiring respective higher education institutions improve academic standards. What this paper adds Bring together the concepts of capabilities and third space in IaD. IaD opportunities are yet to be fully tapped by both higher education institutions and various government policies. The third space enables hybridity, culture translation and the emergence of new forms of identity. Implications for practice and/or policy To engage and sustain IaD universities must have reliable ICT infrastructure and staff with requisite skills to cope with rapid technological advancement. Widening participation to those who are excluded from conventional, campus‐based universities is critical to ensure achievement of SDG 4.

Study of Chinese-English-Thai Translation Strategies for Tea Culture in a Cross-Cultural Context

The purpose of this paper is to explore the Chinese-English-Thai trilingual translation strategies for tea culture in a cross-cultural context. By analyzing the differences between Chinese, Western and Thai tea cultures, and combining them with actual cases of language translation, the paper proposes effective translation methods and techniques in order to promote the international dissemination and understanding of tea culture. As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, the translation of tea culture involves not only the conversion of language level, but also the transmission of cultural connotation. Therefore, this paper will discuss in depth the historical background of tea culture, cultural differences in translation, translation strategies and specific cases.

Культурная норма и безопасность личности: точка бифуркации социокультурной системы

<p>The work examines the current state of the sociocultural environment and raises the question of how to assess the direction of cultural changes. The author argues for the divergence cultural and civilizational development vectors and posits that the primary contradiction within the sociocultural system, in the present cultural-historical context, arises from the dichotomy of The identified trends in civilizational development necessitate a reevaluation of fundamental cultural norms related to human security, highlighting a critical juncture in the evolution of these security norms. Consequently, addressing the issue of changing norms is linked to the concept of artification, which refers to the transformation of the natural into the artificial, and naturalization, which denotes the conversion of the artificial into the natural. In this context, the sociocultural system is analyzed through the lens of processes of reproduction and development, particularly in relation to the transformations in the context of the “naturalization and artification”. Based on the information presented, the objective of this work is to establish a theoretical framework for analyzing the key concepts of the sociocultural system within the space-time continuum of contemporary reality through the application of bifurcation theory. This study offers a theoretical and methodological justification for utilizing bifurcation theory in the examination of sociocultural systems and elaborates on the essence and content of the theoretical construct. According to bifurcation theory, the sociocultural system encompasses three parameters: phase space, time, and the laws of evolution, which collectively enable us to describe the state of the system. The author outlines the key dynamic and system-forming characteristics of a sociocultural system. In conclusion, a sociocultural system, as defined by bifurcation theory, can be conceptualized as a space comprising three topologically equivalent planes: material existence (activities influenced by the type of civilization), cultural existence (cultural norms and standards), and spiritual existence (personal meanings and superordinate values). The multidimensional analysis of time cycles indicates that the sociocultural system is currently undergoing a qualitative transformation, during which the control parameters of the system—specifically security and subjectivity—are evolving. This qualitative transition in the system necessitates the selection of a trajectory for the development of cultural norms, particularly in the context of disrupted cycles of cultural translation and the rapid emergence of new elements within intellectualized digital spaces.</p>

Identidades Quilombolas

This essay critically analyzes the identities of Brazilian quilombola communities as continuous processes of cultural hybridization. It argues that static, essentialist, and dichotomous perspectives, such as traditional versus modern and rural versus urban, are insufficient to grasp the complexity of these experiences. Instead, it proposes understanding them through postcolonial and decolonial theoretical approaches to hybridity, cultural translation, and intersectionality. The study demonstrates how, since their genesis in colonial quilombos, these groups have engaged in creative negotiations among diverse African, Indigenous, and later urban matrices in complex resistance strategies. It explores the inherently fluid, multiple, and transcultural nature of quilombola identities, shaped by internal tensions and hybridizations of gender, generation, class, and territory. Finally, it highlights implications for the formulation of intercultural public policies and participatory research that value the ongoing processes of identity reinvention led by these communities.

Integration of Community Health Workers into Palliative Care Teams: A Scoping Review.

Rural communities, like other places in the United States, face a growing need for palliative care. Community health workers (CHWs) are one potential way to expand the ability to provide palliative care. This scoping review explores what is known about CHWs involved in palliative care teams in the United States. This scoping review is intended to outline current evidence related to best practices and factors that lead to the integration of CHWs into palliative care teams. A scoping review was conducted between June 2022 and April 2023 using 3 databases (CIHAHL, ScienceDirect, and PubMed) to identify included studies. Studies included were published between 2000 and 2022; discussed CHWs, lay health navigators, or associated terms, and palliative care in the United States; and addressed CHWs' integration with health care teams. The 24 studies included in this review encompassed qualitative and quantitative reports of CHW interventions that successfully increased advanced care planning documentation, improved patient symptoms, and increased hospice use. Home visits and telephone visits allowed CHWs to provide education, advocate, make referrals, and serve as social support. Stakeholders generally support the role of CHWs in palliative care teams and understand the way they can support "cultural translation." CHWs have the potential to be integrated into palliative care teams, but there is variability in the approach toward roles within palliative care teams, training for CHWs, and strategies for integration within clinical teams.

A Study on the Translation of Culture loaded Words in The Secret Garden from the Perspective of Cultural Translation Theory

Under the guidance of Susan·Bassnett's "cultural functional equivalence" theory, the cultural elements in Li Wenjun's translation of The Secret Garden were classified and some culturally loaded words were analyzed from the perspectives of ecology, language, material, society and religion. The results show that the translator's high cultural awareness and rich translation techniques can ensure that the literary works' translation achieves the maximum degree of cultural functional equivalence, while also being a basic guarantee for smooth communication between different cultures.

The Dissemination of Dream of the Red Chamber Overseas through an Aesthetic Reception Lens

This essay considers the spread and reception of Dream of the Red Chamber in the West through the theory of aesthetic reception. Though it was originally read with wonder and Orientalist suspicion, its Western reception has progressed through increasing exposure to Chinese culture and literature, gaining an appreciation of its thematic and cultural depth. In its conception, aesthetic reception theory, developed by Hans Robert Jauss, emphasises the openness of reading, even when texts traverse linguistic and cultural borders. The paper covers translation issues confronting Dream of the Red Chamber translators, such as interpreting culturally distinctive symbols, reusing narrative conventions, and conveying Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist philosophical concepts. By investigating choices in translation and their effect on reception, the paper illustrates how cultural translation turns the text around for Western readers, turning Dream of the Red Chamber from an exotic object into a world literature classic. If it takes account of the significance of cultural exchange in translation, this research offers a glimpse of the future of Chinese literatures global influence.

Bridging cross-cultural assessment gaps: developing and validating a pictorial psychological distress scale

ABSTRACT Objective Effective screening tools are crucial to support the mental health of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. Pictorial assessments are suggested as a solution to the cultural and linguistical barriers and translation complications, often encountered in text-based assessments. This study developed and validated a pictorial scale to assess psychological distress. Method Participants, who were general community members and students (n = 230), and CALD (n = 155) completed online the newly developed pictorial scale, Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-30, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Results Exploratory factor analysis with the community sample identified a 21-item scale, labelled as the Pictorial Psychological Distress Scale (PPDS). It consisted of two factors: Somatic and Anxiety Distress, and Depression and Interpersonal Distress. A confirmatory factor analysis with the CALD sample confirmed the factor structure. Based on the two samples, the scale and its factors showed sound internal consistency, satisfactory test–retest reliability, and strong concurrent validity with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-10 and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-30. Future research, further investigating the validity of the pictorial scale, is warranted. Conclusions The pictorial scale is promising and has the potential to screen psychological distress experienced by CALD communities.

On Using of Translation Transformations in the Culturemes Transmission

This paper focuses on the study of translation transformations used to convey culturemes–culturally specific elements that often lack direct analogs in other languages and cultures. These elements reflect unique aspects of a society’s life, traditions, and mentality, making their translation a challenging task. The paper primarily addresses the theoretical aspects of translating culturemes, such as cultural transfer, cultureme, and translation transformation. Cultural transfer is viewed as the process of transferring cultural elements from one culture to another through translation. Cultureme is defined as the minimal unit of cultural information, the translation of which requires a specific strategy. Translation transformation involves modifying the structure and content of the source text to achieve adequacy in the target language. The article explores various types of translation transformations, including transliteration, transcription, calque, generalization, descriptive translation and the use of cultural analogs. Each of these methods is analyzed in detail, explaining when and why they are applied. Particular attention is given to the use of these techniques in the translation of Ernest Cline’s novel «Ready Player One», which contains numerous references to 1980s American pop culture. The complexities of translating these elements are examined, along with specific examples of using different translation strategies to adapt the text for Russian-speaking readers. The article emphasizes the importance of choosing the right translation strategy to preserve the cultural features of the original text and adapt it for readers from another culture, ensuring the cultural and contextual integrity of the work is maintained.

A Study on the Application of “Four-Life Maxim and Ten-tion” in Eco-Translatology in the Publicity Translation of Jingchu Culture

Jingchu culture, as a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation, plays an important role in promoting international cultural exchange and understanding through its external translation. This article focuses on the theory of “Four-Life Maxim and Ten-tion” in Eco-translatology, and explores in depth its application strategies in the external translation of Jingchu culture. The study points out that the "Four-Life Maxim and Ten-tion" theory provides a new perspective and method for the external translation of Jingchu culture by emphasizing life orientation, life acquisition, life conversion and life incarnation. In addition, the specific application of the "Ten-tion " translation method provides diverse translation paths for the external propaganda translation of Jingchu culture, including localization, popularization, innovation, etc., to achieve the optimal translation effect.