Global Health Communication: Linguistics Strategies for Translating English Medical Texts into Urdu

This study explores the linguistic strategies of translation of Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) from English to Urdu language to enhance global health communication. The theoretical framework of the study is based on Skopos Theory and Nida’s Dynamic Equivalence, addressing linguistic complexity and cultural adaptation. Medical translations must balance technical accuracy with accessibility to ensure that non-specialist readers understand crucial healthcare information that is essential for human health. This research analyzes four PILs translated into Urdu to evaluate strategies such as paraphrasing, restructuring, selective omission, and addition. The findings of the study suggest that these techniques enhance readability while maintaining the functional purpose of medical texts. The study highlights how cultural adaptations, including region specific terminology and tone adjustments, improve comprehension and enhance patient adherence. The comparative analysis demonstrates that Skopos-aligned translation strategies successfully adapt medical content to different linguistic and cultural contexts. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of maintaining medical accuracy while simplifying language to ensure that health communication remains effective. By integrating Skopos Theory’s purpose-driven approach with Nida's focus on audience reception, this study provides a comprehensive framework for the translation of medical texts for global audiences. The findings have implications for medical translation, health literacy, and patient safety, emphasizing the need for communication that is both culturally and linguistically appropriate.