Translation and religion

Starting from the premise that religion is one of the most fundamental social frameworks, this chapter discusses the various aspects of the relationship between translation and religion. Under historical perspectives, it considers the role of sacred languages and scriptures that call either for texts to be translated into new languages and forms of expression, or for converts to translate themselves into the linguistic and ceremonial tradition of the sacred text. Strong links between the secular and religious power structures are highlighted, and an explicitly translational paradigm is uncovered: Christian bishops and holy relics have historically been translated from one place to another. This broader concept of translation – encompassing linguistic, cultural, religious, administrative, and material practices – has been a prominent feature of various social phenomena over the centuries. Among critical issues and topics, the chapter discusses the troublesome notions of faithfulness/fidelity and equivalence, nuancing and problematizing them against the broader sociological frameworks. In relation to current contributions and future directions, it considers the ongoing translational efforts and the unique challenges they face both in the Global South and the Global North, and concludes with some comments on the intensifying, violent religious encounters worldwide.