Ethics of the Untranslatable: Translation as Epistemic Violence in Colonial and Postcolonial Texts
Translation is often viewed as a bridge between cultures, yet in colonial and postcolonial contexts it has also functioned as a mechanism of epistemic violence. This paper argues that translation operates both as a tool of domination and a space for resistance. Colonial translation practices imposed Western epistemologies by simplifying or erasing indigenous knowledge systems, reinforcing hierarchies of power and marginalizing subaltern voices. In contrast, postcolonial approaches emphasize untranslatability, linguistic hybridity, and cultural specificity to reclaim epistemic agency. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from Benjamin, Venuti, Spivak, Bhabha, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, and Said, the study highlights the ethical responsibilities of translation as a politically and morally engaged practice. Ultimately, it positions translation as a critical site where knowledge, power, and cultural memory intersect, advocating for epistemic justice and ethical accountability in cross-cultural mediation.
Untranslatability, Epistemic Violence, Postcolonial Translation, Colonial Language Policy, Ethics of Translation, Cultural Memory, Linguistic Resistance, Cross-Cultural Representation
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