Cultural translation: complementary framework for cross-cultural social work

This article proposes using the concept “cultural translation” for understanding cross-cultural professional encounters. Moving beyond linguistic rephrasing, cultural translation highlights the potential for cultural exchange between diverse communities. Analysis of interviews with secular social work educators who teach ultra-Orthodox students reveals two strategies for translating professional knowledge within a conservative pedagogical context: intercultural translation, which highlights similarities and minimizes differences between worldviews, and cultural translation, which acknowledges differences and blurs the academic hierarchical relations between scientific and theological knowledge. The cultural translation strategy fosters a hybrid “third space” for mutual learning and makes a valuable contribution to social work practice.