Understanding the Relationship between Translation and Culture
The Importance of Culture in Translation
Translation is not a matter of whole words only; it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture – Anthony Burgess
Your vocabulary and the changes that come with time are reflections of your culture and the changes it has undergone over the years. The relationship between language, translation, and culture is a key aspect of communication.
Understanding Culture
Translation has a major role in understanding and expressing the culture, which has to be kept in mind by the professionals. Because one doesn’t just translate the documents, rather the gist should be given perfectly.
Cultural patterns
The translations can be up to the mark not only when with the proper vocabulary. Culture is the way in which people behave. It is a pattern in which we analyze the behavior, social habits, beliefs, traditions, and customs. Reflection of culture matters!
Language
Because culture gives birth to language, translation, and culture are intimately connected. For every translated sentence, the translator must be able to decide on the importance of its cultural context, what the phrase really means, not necessarily what it literally means, and convey that meaning in a way which makes sense not only in the target language but also in the context of the target culture.
Taboos and Value Differences
Deeply held taboos in one culture can be completely different in another culture. Translation must be sensitive to the moral, spiritual values to the words and symbols in the language to find meaning equivalents. We have some fantastic examples regarding US and Russian political scenarios which show the need for knowledge of cultural differences!
Better Communication
The importance of translation in culture and language is high because it pushes the wheel ahead for better communication between two parties. The relationship between culture and translation help bridge the gaps that different languages might create.
Cultural Translation
Cultural translation is the practice of translation while respecting and showing cultural differences. This kind of translation deals with topics, such as dialects, food, or architecture. Indeed, translation studies are not only based on language issues, but also on cultural contexts between people.
A bridge between two societies
With the excess travel and high speed of the internet, the disciplined translations are supposed to be made. Even in the case of India, which is home to so many languages and cultures, our responsibility is to connect with everyone.
After all, words travel worlds and translators are the drivers!
