The Impact of Cultural Context on the Accuracy of English-Persian Translation: Challenges and Strategies

This study examines the impact of cultural context on the accuracy of English-Persian translation, highlighting the challenges and strategies employed by professional translators to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps. Given the substantial differences between English and Persian in idiomatic expressions, humor, religious references, and socio-cultural norms, translation requires more than linguistic proficiency—it demands cultural literacy and adaptive techniques.
To explore these complexities, this research adopts a qualitative, descriptive methodology, combining textual analysis of translated texts and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with experienced English-Persian translators. The study systematically investigates instances of cultural mistranslation, particularly in the rendering of figurative language, historical and political discourse, Western cultural references, and religious terminology. Findings reveal that literal translation frequently fails to preserve meaning, resulting in misinterpretations and loss of cultural depth, thereby reinforcing the necessity of context-sensitive translation practices.
Professional translators employ various adaptation strategies, including domestication, foreignization, metaphorical substitution, explanatory footnotes, and contextual reinterpretation, to preserve the intent and cultural resonance of source texts. The study further underscores the importance of translator agency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and audience-centered approaches, as accurate translation extends beyond linguistic transfer to encompass ideological, historical, and societal dimensions.
These findings have critical implications for translation education and professional practice, advocating for the integration of cultural competence modules into translator training, standardization of adaptive strategies in translation workflows, and exploration of AI-assisted translation improvements to mitigate cross-cultural misinterpretation. As globalization and digital media continue to expand intercultural communication, this study contributes to the broader discourse on translation as a bridge between cultures, reinforcing the role of translators as cultural mediators in international discourse.
Future research should examine how emerging AI models can incorporate cultural adaptation principles, assess cross-linguistic challenges in Persian-English translation, and explore historical and literary translation case studies to refine best practices for translation accuracy and cultural fidelity.