Cultural Nuances in Translation: A Critical Examination of Language, Meaning, and Identity

Abstract

Translation should not be understood as just a mechanical reproduction of words between languages; the process is very cultural as it is negotiating meaning, and identity, power across language and social borders. The paper explores the focal position of cultural nuance in translation, where it is believed that effective translation must entail cultural competency as well as linguistic competence. The paper identifies areas of fidelity and reception of translations through an interdisciplinary approach that taps into the various areas of linguistics including translation, sociolinguistics, and intercultural communication. It methodology is founded upon comparative textual analysis of idioms, case studies of text translation errors in global marketing, and critical discussion about machine translation. Canonical political models, such as dynamic equivalence developed by Nida, domestication and foreignization by Venuti, and Skopos theory claims proposed by Vermeer, are presented with the recent exchange of ideas on gender inclusivity and translation applications based on AI. Case studies also illustrate that mistranslations have caused commercial, diplomatic and ideological effects and what the translator needs to have is a mediator of cultures and not a linguistic technician who is neutral. The conclusions indicate that translation cannot exist out of culturally specific issues of cultural identity, power relations, and ethical responsibility. The paper will conclude by highlighting the necessity of training in translation to focus more on cultural competency and request increased fine-grained collaboration between human translators and new works of technology.