How translation and interpretation affects global politics : a functionalist approach

Abstract

Translation and global politics have much in common. This interweaving of disciplines runs through history to present. This paper aims to investigate the impact which translation has on international relations and global politics. Utilising case studies drawn from historical and recent events, the paper situates and examines the impact of translation on global politics through the lens of the functionalist school of translation theories. The paper aims to answer two research questions: 1. How does translation impact international relations? And 2. How can the functionalist approach help in the understanding of these impacts? Through the application of the functionalist school of translation theories, in particular skopos, which puts the purpose of the translation above all else and distinguishes between intended purpose and effect, the paper has found that translation impacts international relations by influencing the interpretation of foreign policies, propaganda, diplomatic ties as well as negotiation outcomes in times of war. The impacts of translation on international relations are thus not only due to linguistic aspects such as semantic ambiguities but also due to cultural differences and the individual role of the interpreter.