More Than Words: Translation as a Bridge for Peace

Translation is often misunderstood as a mechanical task—replacing a word in English with a word in Swahili, Arabic, or French. But true translation is far more profound. It is a cultural act, a bridge that allows ideas, values, and entire worldviews to travel across borders.

As a translator and cultural mediator with over two decades of experience, I have learned that a thoughtful translation can resolve conflicts, while a careless one can ignite them.

In a multilingual world, the translator is a peacebuilder.

Translation as Cultural Diplomacy

In diverse societies like Kenya, translation is strategic. Whether in academic lectures, interfaith conferences, or high-stakes policy negotiations, accurate translation:

• Builds Respect: It shows we value the other's voice enough to understand it truly.
• Prevents Conflict: It clarifies intent before misunderstanding hardens into resentment.
• Democratizes Knowledge: It opens doors for those excluded by language barriers.

“Every act of translation is also an act of cultural negotiation.” — Dr. Hassan Omari

This is especially crucial in interfaith dialogues, where a single mistranslated theological concept can disrupt years of trust-building.

The Translator’s Dual Role

A translator is both a linguist and a mediator. Linguistically, we strive for accuracy. Culturally, we strive for resonance. We must:

• Understand the history behind the words.
• Feel the religious and cultural weight of a phrase.
• Anticipate misunderstandings before they happen.

It requires deep scholarship and cultural humility. You cannot translate what you do not respect.

Real-World Challenges

Throughout my work with organizations like the African Union, COMESA, and World Vision, I have seen how high the stakes can be.

1. The Weight of Theology

In interfaith conferences, words like sharia, grace, or salvation carry centuries of meaning. A translator must navigate these minefields with precision, retaining the speaker's intent without imposing their own interpretation.

2. The Nuance of Policy

In educational or diplomatic documents, a mistranslated term in an ethical guideline can change how a policy is implemented nationwide. Precision here is not just academic; it is civic duty.

3. The Speed of Diplomacy

In simultaneous interpretation, speed meets accuracy. It is an adrenaline sport for the mind, where cultural knowledge allows the translator to make split-second decisions that keep the conversation flowing.

The Art Behind the Craft

Why do I call it an art? Because it requires creative problem-solving.

• Metaphors often don't travel. They must be reimagined to land with the same impact in the target culture.
• Tone is everything. A formal rebuke must sound like a formal rebuke, not a rude insult.
• The Untranslatable sometimes requires elegant paraphrasing to capture the soul of the message.

Translation as Peacebuilding

In divided societies, translation is a tool for reconciliation. Cultural mediation ensures that communities hear each other on their own terms, not through the distorted lens of prejudice. When we translate well, diversity becomes a resource, not a barrier.

Nurturing the Future

We need a new generation of translators who are trained not just in vocabulary, but in ethics, empathy, and diplomacy. Universities should view translation programs as training grounds for cultural mediators—people who will knit our fractured world back together, one sentence at a time.

In the end, translation is an act of service—to language, to culture, and to humanity. By mastering this art, we build bridges that words alone could never cross.