Understanding Translation and Cultural Meaning-Making in Cross-Language Qualitative Research: Methodological Innovations and Challenges

• In Event: 50260 - Section on Asia and Asian America Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 5: Methodological Innovation and Challenges in Social Inquiry

Abstract

This article analyzes the issues associated with cross-language qualitative research, highlighting the interpretive complexities that occur when we perform cross language qualitative research, and translate the data from one language to another. The study highlights that translation, as an interpretative process that can cause the loss of delicate meaning of culturally specific terminologies, and ideas lack clear linguistic analogues. This research centered around fieldwork with South Asian Muslim women in the United States emphasizes the significance of culturally sensitive methodologies, reflexivity, and iterative translation processes to preserve the reliability of participants' narratives. Recommendations are provided for improving the accuracy and ethical integrity of cross-language qualitative research, consequently enhancing its ability to represent diverse and neglected perspectives in sociological research.
Key Words: Cross-language qualitative research, cultural sensitivity, reflexivity, iterative translation.

Author

• Momna Rani, University of North Texas