Translation in cross-cultural research: an example from Bolivia

Kate Maclean

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Translation raises ethical and epistemological dilemmas inherent in cross-cultural research. The process of communicating research participants' words in a different language and context may impose another conceptual scheme on their thoughts. This may reinforce the hegemonic terms that Development Studies should seek to challenge. The article explores the idea that a reflexive approach to translation can not only help to overcome the difficulties involved in cross-cultural research, but also be a tool with which to deconstruct hegemonic theory. It addresses the epistemological and political problems in translation, techniques of translation, and the impact of translation on the author's own research, which is used to illustrate some of the ways in which translation can support deconstruction and highlight the importance of building a framework for talking with rather than for research participants.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)784-790
Number of pages7
JournalDevelopment in Practice
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gender and diversity
  • methods
  • Latin America and the Caribbean

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Translation in cross-cultural research: an example from Bolivia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this