Translation challenges of cross-cultural research and program development.
OBJECTIVE
Translation of cross-cultural surveys and programs pose unique challenges. This paper identifies potential pitfalls of current translation guidelines and presents solutions employed for one project.


METHODS
We followed current guidelines for translation of survey instruments including forward and back translation, and also utilized qualitative methods to decenter survey questions. In addition, our project adapted translation by committee with a core translation team of bilingual/trilingual investigators and staff members with diverse skills and complementary degrees of proficiency in the languages and dialects of interest.


RESULTS
This approach resulted with a mechanism for emic equivalence, identifying and resolving dialectic and sociolinguistic concerns, selecting appropriate written Chinese styles, and providing appropriate linguistic training to interviewers.


CONCLUSIONS
An understanding of the history of a people and its ramifications for the language are important components of the translation process. Allocation of appropriate time, resources, and skills are critical to the successful development of valid cross-cultural survey instruments and effective programs.
Tu
Shin-Ping
SP
Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Jackson
J Carey
JC
Teh
Chong
C
Lai
Agnes
A
Do
Hoai
H
Hsu
Lina
L
Chan
Irene
I
Tseng
Ben
B
Hislop
Greg
G
Taylor
Vicky
V
D002681:China; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003625:Data Collection; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development; D014175:Translating; D014481:United States