Translation across languages and cultures
by Dr. Joe Greenholtz
February 20, 2009
12:45 pm
Translators' Voices
Many researchers, even those involved in cross-cultural work, assume that transferring a research instrument from one culture to another involves nothing more than translating the instrument and doing a back translation for ‘quality control’.
The research reported on here illustrates not only how much more complex transferring an instrument can be, but also how the process of translation itself can yield unique and invaluable insights into cultural and linguistic differences - the essence of what the research was originally designed to capture.
In addition to this fresh perspective on the valuable role that translation can play in improving research, the translation protocol field tested and reported on here makes a compelling argument for modifying the traditional Gold Standard of translation-back translation with the addition of a couple of important steps.
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This report is based on Dr. Joe Greenholtz’ book Validity Issues In Translating Instruments Across Languages and Cultures: Exploring the Paradox of Differing Cultural Perspectives on Intercultural Sensitivity, available on Amazon.
Dr. Joe Greenholtz
Phone/fax: (604) 241-2432
E-mail: principal@hjgconsulting.com
Website: www.hjgconsulting.com
