Volume II Special Issue IV April 2022

Name of Author : Gayathree Srikandavel

Title of the paper : Questions of Untranslatability and Problems of Understanding Other Cultures: An Anthropological Perspective

Abstract: This study sheds light on the questions on untranslatability and the problems of understanding “other cultures”. Power becomes a question in translation and writing culture. Examining the influence of power relations in understanding other cultures leads to the question of untranslatability. First of all this study outlines the relationship between Anthropology or Ethnography and Translation Studies and the influence and operation in one another. In some circumstances they are identical. Through the conceptualisation of Cultural Anthropology as Translation, it is observed that power relation has an influence in understanding other cultures and gradually the questions arise regarding untranslatability. This study intends to highlight the questions of untranslatability through a descriptive approach. This study cites some strategies and techniques spelt out by some scholars involved in cultural translation to understand ‘other cultures’. Studying the others may lead to the determination of self and the questions of untranslatability can be dealt with.

Keywords : Cultural Translation, Untranslatability, Anthropology, Ethnography, Power Relations

DOI :

Page Number : 50-58