Cultural Approaches to Translation

This paper discusses how culture impinges on the reading and the understanding of texts. It investigates the idea that culture is a manifestation of difference, and proposes 4 approaches for the translator, expanding on Schleiermacher’s classic idea of translation as leaving the writer in peace by moving the reader to the writer or vice versa. The characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of each approach are illustrated. The first suggestion is “translating from cultures”. This is an anthropological approach overtly framing the text within its context through thick translation. The second main approach “translating for cultures”, closely follows Schleiermacher. The approach is divided into 2 parts, depending on whether the translator wishes to highlight or reduce the difference. Highlighting difference is favoured by cultural studies scholars to protect vulnerable groups and difference itself; while reducing difference, favoured by linguists aims to reduce barriers to the text. The final approach, “translating between cultures” is an intercultural approach, which accepts that the reader’s “cultural filter”, will always distort and otherwise affect reading of the translation. In all cases, it is necessary to construct the model or ideal reader, as it is through imagining the reader that the most appropriate approach can be ascertained.