THE INTERRELATION BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: CHALLENGES IN THE TRANSLATION PROCESS

Аннотация:

The intrinsic link between language and culture presents profound challenges within the translation process. This article explores the interrelation, positing that language is not merely a vehicle for communication but a deeply embedded reflection of cultural values, perceptions, and societal structures. Drawing on theoretical perspectives, including a critical engagement with the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, this paper delineates how cultural imprints manifest in linguistic specificities, leading to significant lexical, semantic, and pragmatic gaps in cross-cultural translation. Particular attention is given to the phenomenon of untranslatable words, which serve as poignant examples of culture-specific concepts that defy direct equivalence. The article then examines various translation strategies designed to bridge these divides and underscores the indispensable role of the translator as a cultural mediator, whose expertise extends beyond linguistic proficiency to encompass deep cultural competence. It concludes by reaffirming the inseparable nature of language and culture in translation and suggests future research directions to enhance cross-cultural understanding.