Content s introduction chapter methodical basis of translation theory

CONCLUSION FOR CHAPTER 1

In summary, the term "culture" was first used by English scholar Edward B. Tylor in the book "Primitive Culture", which was published in 1871. According to Tylor's perspective, culture encompasses the various habits and traditions accepted by different members of society based on their beliefs, faith, regulations, customs, and other cultural elements. Translating a text is not simply finding the equivalent words; it also requires a complex and difficult process of rewriting it. This highlights the impact of one culture on another. To understand translation, we must define our understanding of culture and language and determine how the two are related. Linguist Gary W. Speer expresses his thoughts on these connections: "When we are looking at culture from a linguistic viewpoint, we are looking at an understanding of culture from one aspect." If we consider culture from a linguistic perspective, we must acknowledge that language is only one aspect of a culture's understanding. Translating cultural elements into another language is a complex process. Culture is a complex combination of daily experiences, history, social systems, religion, customary practices, and traditions.

Social relationships are one of the cultural elements as well. In some cultures, people have learned to live in large families, where there is a daily need for referring to a family member. Such nuances of reference should be expressed vividly, and English language can pose difficulty in describing this aspect. Similarly, some cultures demonstrate respect by using a specific mode of addressing their elders, while maintaining a polite and restraint air. The English language is not troubled by these subtleties. Expressing formalities is often complicated; for example, the word "thank you" can be translated differently depending on the situation, such as expressing gratitude for a gift, a service, or showing appreciation for no reason.
Translating clothing, jewelry, and food items can also be problematic. For instance, it is challenging to translate the taste of certain dishes or their properties for someone who has never experienced them.
Customs and traditions are also a part of culture. Whether it is a wedding, funeral, or celebration, their history, significance, and symbolism would pose a challenge for a translator.
Beliefs and emotions change as they pass from one culture to another. The color white can represent mourning in some cultures and purity in others. This implies that culture encompasses not only cities, organizations, and schools but also abstract elements such as beliefs, traditions, family customs, and languages. In summary, culture represents a society's patterns and way of life. It is possible for culture to disappear or become extinct. This is because it only exists in our minds. Our written language, government, buildings, and other things that are created with human hands are products of culture. Translation, on the other hand, is definitely rewriting the original text. Rewriting can express new ideas, new interpretations, or new genres, and translation history can link cultural significance or values of one culture to another. Translation is not a separate concept from culture, whether as an activity or as a result of an activity. There are two examples in history of familiarizing one culture with another. One is translating the sacred book of Buddha written in various Indian languages from Chinese to Arabic in order to introduce it to the Islamic world, and the other is translating the books of Greek (Hellenic) scientists and philosophers from Greek and Syrian to Arabic in order to introduce them to the Islamic world. Translation plays an important role and is constantly evolving in the development of global culture. Translation is an intellectual creative activity that involves transferring the essence of one language to another and aims to preserve the respect of readers and learners. The concept of culture is divided into three categories depending on human activity: personal for individual thoughts and actions, collective for group activities, and communicative for society itself. Language is a social tool, and translation is the bridge that allows us to engage with foreign cultures. Therefore, our success in translation depends on how much we understand foreign cultures, which is why translation is an intercultural event.
Each communication or original message has practical value. The translator must know the evidence of the message, whether it is a statement, suggestion, order, or self-made. For example, "Men bilmayman" ("I don't know") is not only translated as a statement but also as an uncertainty ("Ko'ramiz"). "What gives" in American slang means "How's it going?" The process of translating a message is carried out through linguistic and cultural contexts. The expression of culture and its forms using a specific language is uncommon for the general public. We need to distinguish the term "culture" in general and personal language. Concepts like "reading", "walking", "star", "table", and "game" are universal, and there are no issues in translating them. However, terms such as "steppe", "summer house", and "challah" are related to particular cultural forms and cause translation problems. We must pay attention to the similarity between the purpose and source of the language. In grammar, the language can express various cultural outcomes (meaning of intangible things) and appeal forms (sir, madam, sir, etc.). If the language revolves around specific phenomena (fauna and flora) and has cultural peculiarities, then it will cause translation problems. Most cultural habits are depicted in plain language. Edward Sapir regarded language as a social fact-finding tool. The individual's experiences are determined by the language's norms, which are commonly determined by a particular group, and each system reflects a distinct truth. Two languages that express the same facts do not resemble each other. The terms that are used in various groups are also unique. Therefore, language is at the core of culture.
Culture has its own voice in language. For example, Japanese people do not usually use the word "no." They use other words or phrases to avoid saying "no." If a Japanese person responds to your suggestion with "I need to discuss this with my wife," this means they are declining your offer. If you ask a Japanese person if they can meet at 6pm and they respond with "Do you mean 6pm exactly?" this means they are not agreeing to your request.National customs and events that belong exclusively to a particular culture are not translated, such as sari, kimono, cuisine, and ritual objects. These are introduced to students as cultural terms. If a particular w.ord does not have importance, it is simply exchanged for another word.
Missing a culture's voice in language can be a barrier to communication, so it is important to recognize how different cultures use language. Understanding culture also requires a sensitivity to politeness and respect. Therefore, knowing how to communicate in different cultural contexts is essential to effective communication. Language is the embodiment of culture, and culture is the heart of a language. Understanding language and culture is critical to avoiding cultural misunderstandings and promoting cultural harmony. The more we know, the more we will understand and appreciate the diversity of different cultures.