THE ROLE OF CULTURAL EQUIVALENCE IN TRANSLATION THE GAP BETWEEN SOURCE AND TARGET TEXTS
Keywords:
Translation, Cultural Equivalence, Idioms, Cross Cultural Communication, Translation Strategies, Cultural Transfer, Language and Culture, Translation Challenges, Target Audience, Creative TranslationAbstract
Translation is not just about changing words from one language into another; it also involves understanding and transferring the culture behind those words. Every language is shaped by the way people live, think, and interact within their community. Translators often encounter words, phrases, or expressions that do not have direct equivalents or carry different meanings due to cultural differences. This highlights the importance of cultural equivalence in translation. This paper explores the concept of cultural equivalence and its critical role in translation. It discusses how translators handle idioms, customs, traditions, and humor unique to a particular culture. Drawing on examples from literature, film, and real life translation cases, the paper illustrates how translators address these challenges to ensure that the message remains clear and culturally appropriate for the target audience. It also examines the limits of translation and the creative strategies employed when direct equivalence is impossible. The aim is to show that effective translation must not only sound accurate but also resonate culturally in the target language.
References
Even-Zohar, I. (1978). "The Position of Translated Literature within the Literary Polysystem." Poetics Today, 1(1-2), 45-51.
Gutt, E.-A. (1991). Translation and Relevance: Cognition and Context. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Hatim, B., & Mason, I. (1997). The Translator as Communicator. London-New York: Routledge. xii + 244 pp. ISBN Hb.: 0-415-11736-4 (£45.00); Pb.: 0-415-11737-2 (£13.99).
Hatim, B. (2013). Teaching and Researching Translation (2nd ed.). Applied Linguistics in Action. London and New York: Pearson. ISBN 978-1-4082-9763-6.
Holmes, J. S. (1972). "The Name and Nature of Translation Studies." In The Translation Studies Reader (pp. 180-192).
Karjagdiu, L., & Kryeziu, N. (2021). A Brief Outline on Scanderbeg in English Literature. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(6).
Karjagdiu, L., & Kryeziu, N. (2021). The Reception of Ernest Hemingway’s Works in Albanian Literature and Culture. AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies, 5.
Karjagdiu, L., & Kryeziu, N. (2021). Milton and Noli’s Samson. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(6).
Klosi, I., Bezhani, E., & Spahiu, I. (2024). Applying Critical Discourse Analysis in Translating the IUCN Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) Documents into Albanian. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal, 65(5), 571-576.
Klosi, I., Bici, V., & Spahiu, I. (2024). Machine Translation and Human Expertise in Environmental Projects: The Buna River Veliopja Case. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal, 66(5), 633-637.
Spahiu, I., Nuredini, Z., Klosi, I., & Bici, V. (2024). Exploring the Nexus of Translation Theory and Practice: A Comprehensive Review of Basil Hatim's “Teaching and Researching Translation”. KNOWLEDGE - International Journal, 66(5), 627-631.
Spahiu, I., & Nuredini, Z. (2024). Book Review: Basil Hatim & Ian Mason. “Discourse and the Translator”. London and New York: Longman, 1990. XIV+ 258 pp. ISBN 0-582-02190-1 (PPR)/0-582-05925-9 (CSD)(Language in Social Life Series). KNOWLEDGE - International Journal, 63(5), 575-578.
Spahiu, I., & Nuredini, Z. (2023). Lexical Borrowings and Adaptations of Anglicism. The International Journal of Applied Language Studies and Culture, 6(1), 13-16.
Koller, W. (1979). Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft. Heidelberg, Germany: Quelle & Meyer.
Nida, E. A. (1964). Toward a Science of Translating: With Special Reference to Principles and Procedures Involved in Bible Translating. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill.
Reiss, K., & Vermeer, H. J. (1984). Grundlegung einer allgemeinen Translations theorie. Tübingen, Germany: Niemeyer.
Toury, G. (1995). Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins.
