Rethinking translating cultures

Abstract

The concept of “translating cultures” embodies a dynamic interplay between translation and culture, suggesting both their complementarity and consubstantiality. This special issue emerges from the work of the UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures, established in 2023 with the support of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission in Saudi Arabia. It builds upon three decades of scholarship to critically re-examine foundational assumptions within this field, situating its exploration of translating cultures within the Arab cultural context while engaging with global discourses and research from both the Global North and Global South. This exploration is centered within the Arab cultural context, highlighting the historical significance of translating cultures in the Arab world and the emergence of Arabia, particularly the Gulf, as a key center for Arabophone translation. The four articles within this collection demonstrate how the translation of Arabic language and cultures is not only a linguistic act but also a vehicle for cultural adaptation, dialogue, and inclusion. By challenging Eurocentric paradigms and embracing geo-linguistic diversity, these essays mark an epistemological shift in translation studies, advocating for a critical reassessment of historical and methodological frameworks. Through interdisciplinary engagement, this issue calls for a more inclusive and reflexive approach to understanding translating cultures in a globalized world.