Translation as Self-Transformation: Scrutinizing the Process of Religious Conversion Through Translation
Creators: name: De Jong, Hailey Jacklyn
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2023
Subjects: Cultural Translation
Religion
Conversion
Translation Studies
Islam
Translation as Self-Transformation

description: An individual who converts from one religion to another undergoes a significant change in their worldview. Not only do they need to accept a new belief, but they also accept the changes that come along with it, such as a change in ethics and morals, rituals and acts of worship, and sometimes even in appearance. The convert is therefore expected to translate their previous worldview into a new one, thereby transforming their worldview and adding new aspects to their identity. Although other terms relating to various aspects and modes of cultural translation have been proposed in Translation Studies, such as “translation as transposition” and “translation as rewriting” as found in Conway (2012), we will soon see how converts fit neither of these categories, since they have neither migrated, nor do they require anyone else to translate their experiences on behalf of them between certain communities. To fill this gap in the research, a new term and theory has been proposed: translation as self-transformation. In order to analyze the newly proposed theory of translation as self-transformation, two main questions must be addressed: namely, what is translation as self-transformation, and how does translation as translation as self-transformation take place in the context of Canadian and American Muslim converts? To answer these questions, literature in relation to culture, identity, and worldview, as well as the notions of Bildung, and more specifically, alienation and appropriation, has been analyzed. Furthermore, research methodologies such as questionnaires and focus groups are employed in order to gather empirical data from Canadian and American Muslim converts regarding their thoughts on the notions of culture and identity, as well as how religion falls among them. Additionally, they are asked questions regarding their own conversions and, therefore, their own processes of translation as self-transformation. Furthermore, it is also possible to analyze the important and unique role that converts are able to play as mediators and cultural translators between communities, given their experience of having lived as part of both the non-Muslim and Muslim communities in Canada and America. The findings of the research then suggest that converts do indeed undergo a process of translation as self-transformation. Furthermore, they are able to act as mediators and cultural translators between the non-Muslim and Muslim communities. However, their ability to translate effectively depends on two factors: 1) that they neither alienate their own culture nor appropriate another culture; and 2) that the community that they translate for is willing to be receptive of such a translation. Such work may pave the way for future research on topics such as islamophobia in the West and how improved translation between the two communities may lead to establishing a better understanding and appreciation between both communities.