ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a window into the challenging work of translators and interpreters. After discussing the relationship between language and culture, discussion centres on a functional–pragmatic theory of translation/interpreting as recontextualisation in intercultural communication. Empirical evidence is provided in the form of contrastive pragmatic and discourse analyses conducted with a particular language pair. Multiple German–English examples of ‘cultural ?ltering in translations’ in a variety of situations vividly illustrate patterns of cross-cultural difference. This chapter raises awareness of the increasing dominance of English in intercultural communication and the resulting trend towards cultural universalism and neutralism in diverse languages and cultures.
