Cultural Challenges Influencing the Process of Translating Novels

Translation is a complex process, involving various challenging factors. The process of translation comprises of at least two languages and two cultures. Therefore, translators encounter with the problem of how to tackle the cultural challenges from the source text (ST) into the target language (TL) in most appropriate forms. Owing to the great subtlety and complexity of the factors in question, this article aims to reveal some challenges which skilled translators may confront while translating novels. Translating novels become significant since they deal with transference of cultures between languages. Since translation and culture are interrelated, translators cannot avoid cultural elements in the act of translation. Through this process, one is exposed to words, phrases, scenes, events, and in a bigger scale the culture and the world of the other. In this regard, before discussing the cultural challenges, the concept of culture is defined. The paper examines the intercultural (Culture-specific expressions, Aesthetic differences, Political interference, Ethical influence) and also intracultural factors (Strategic orientation, Period style, influence the translation process). to signify how the discussed challenges can seriously interfere with the translator’s judgment and selection.