Translation is commonly thought of as a practical activity having to do with transforming one language into another. However, in a more general sense, it covers all activities concerned with bringing about or analyzing changes from one substance, form or appearance into another, or activities concerned with systematically comparing related phenomena in different domains.

Research in the Cultural translation focus area is concerned with the analysis of cultural changes and the comparison of related cultural phenomena in different domains, which, in the context of globalization, can mean cultural changes and phenomena that tend to have worldwide scope or impact. Cultural translation is also concerned with cultural variation and change on a more limited scale, which might nevertheless be relevant in a wider, global framework.

Culture can be said to comprise the regular and customary beliefs, behaviours, social forms, and material traits of groups of people. There may be striking similarities regarding cultural features and characteristics across different societies, which raises questions about possible constraining factors in the shaping of cultural phenomena. On the other hand, culture also shows striking variation across different societies, a fact that motivates the investigation of cultural patterns along the developmental dimension diversity – contact – change. Globalization means that inter-societal cultural contact and change are accelerating, and as a result new cultural forms and identities are being developed.

The researchers working in the Cultural Translation focus area are seeking to gain new insights into the unity and diversity of cultural developments, and especially to investigate new cultural traits and phenomena that come into being as a result of cultural contact across different societies. There are a multitude of activities taking place in this focus area, some of which are highlighted below. Subjects that find their natural place within the field of cultural translation include: anthropology, architecture, economics, history, linguistics, literature, media, music, philosophy, religion, sociology, and the fine arts.