Translation: Bridging the Gap, or Creating a Gap to Bridge? Reflections on the Role of Translation in Bridging and/or Widening the Gap between Different Cultures with Particular Reference to Religion and Politics

This paper attempts to explore the problems involved in the Translation of culturally, politically and/or religiously Charged Words and Expressions with particular reference to religion and politics. Most translators and translation scholars are probably familiar with the concept of translation as a major tool used to bridge the gap between different cultures. Nevertheless, is that always the case? Does translation always help bridge the gap, or does it, sometimes at least, widen it, if not even create a new one? With the emergence of modern linguistics in the twentieth century and translation studies a few decades later, a translator was no longer regarded as a creative writer in his/her own right; he/she is basically an honest conveyer of somebody else's message. The more 'invisible ' a translator is the better credit he receives. Nevertheless, is this always the case? This researcher discusses the topic with reference to a set of words and expressions of particular interest to the present conditions in the Middle East area