Understanding the Language, the Culture, and the Experience: Translation in Cross-Cultural Research

Authors

  • Jaeyoung Choi University of Alberta
  • Kaysi Eastlick Kushner University of Alberta
  • Judy Mill University of Alberta
  • Daniel W. L. Lai University of Calgary

Abstract

Achieving conceptual equivalence between two languages is a challenge in cross-cultural, cross-language research, as the research is conducted in a language that is not the researcher’s or research team’s first language. Therefore, translation provides an additional challenge in cross-cultural research. The comprehension and interpretation of the meaning of data is central in cross-cultural qualitative analysis. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the translation process and explore some of the challenges, such as difficulties in finding a suitable translator, and the importance of communication between the researcher and the translator.

Author Biographies

Jaeyoung Choi, University of Alberta

PhD, Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta

Kaysi Eastlick Kushner, University of Alberta

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health at the University of Alberta.

Judy Mill, University of Alberta

Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta

Daniel W. L. Lai, University of Calgary

Associate Dean of Research & Partnerships and Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary

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Published

2012-11-08

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 5 (2012)

Section

Articles

License

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