Cross-Cultural Awareness and Translation Ethics: Their Interrelationship in Education

Abstract

The role of translator as mediator between cultures becomes more complicated as globally demand for culturally and ethically sensitive translation intensifies. This paper argues that effective translation education requires integrating cross cultural awareness and translation ethical components of a curriculum in order to prepare students for ethical and cultural challenges of professional practice. This study starts with a review of key cross-cultural awareness and translation ethics concepts and proceeds to underscore the influence of cultural sensitivity on ethical choices in translation. Drawing on a discussion of practical challenges, case studies and recommended strategies, the paper examines the ways in which translation programs may reform their curricula to help cultivate students' cultural adaptability and ethical judgment. Dedicated courses, case-based learning, simulations and reflective work that encourage students to problematise the cultural and ethical dimension of their translations, would also constitute key recommendations. Through the adoption of these approaches, translation education should be able to train sensibly linguistically well rooted, culturally sensitive, and ethically trained translators capable of being part of a more inclusive and respectful global translation industry.