Conceptualizing museum translation

What is it about?

Museums are places where different cultures meet and interact, often revealing colonial histories and power imbalances. They also act as "translation zones," where complex information and cultural experiences are interpreted for diverse audiences. This translation happens through exhibits, curator mediation, and visitor interactions, creating opportunities for learning and dialogue. This article discusses that museum translation involves interpreting and presenting culture, history, and knowledge through objects, texts, and displays. It includes translating for international audiences and facilitating interactions among visitors, curators, and exhibits. This process goes beyond language to include architectural design, social, cultural, and political meanings attached to exhibitions, and the overall museum experience. It claims that museums are like borders where different cultures and times interact, translating cultural and scientific knowledge. Juri Lotman's concept of the semiosphere is used in the article to explain this as a dynamic process between source and target cultures. Both Translation Studies and Museum Studies explore museum translation, though not always using that term. Researchers look at how museums use visual and multimodal methods to convey knowledge and ideas. Museums are important for intercultural understanding, identity formation, and cultural representation. Curatorial choices impact which identities are highlighted or hidden, reflecting sociopolitical influences. In terms of verbal aspects, translating museum labels, texts, and ensuring accessibility are key areas studied in both fields. In this section, Min-Hsiu Liao's functions of museum translation are discussed in the article. Some experts see language as secondary to broader communication aspects, like visitor experiences and accessibility. Alternatives like audio descriptions improve engagement and memory-making. However, this article demonstrates that it is possible to overlook the verbal aspects in museum translation and focus on meaning-making through non-verbal means, and what this can symbolize in the cultural and political sense. Overall, museum translation is a broad field that integrates various disciplines, which is broadly discussed and demonstrated in the article.

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Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article offers a valuable contribution to Translation Studies and Semiotics by providing a thorough examination of museums from an interdisciplinary perspective. It stands out in several ways. Firstly, it not only integrates Translation Studies and Semiotics but also incorporates perspectives from other fields, such as Museology, which may sometimes offer conflicting views on museum translation. This approach ensures a well-rounded exploration of the subject. Secondly, while the article is primarily focused on Translation Studies, it highlights the significance of non-verbal aspects of museum translation. Although previous discussions have touched on this, the article's use of semiotic theory to explain the importance of these non-verbal elements adds depth to the analysis. By conceptualizing museum translation through various lenses, this article makes a significant contribution to understanding the slowly but steadily growing area of research in a more comprehensive manner.

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