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Chapter 4. An information asymmetry framework for strategic translation policy in multinational corporations

  • Thomas A. Hanson and Christopher D. Mellinger
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Translating Asymmetry – Rewriting Power
This chapter is in the book Translating Asymmetry – Rewriting Power

Abstract

The size and scope of multinational corporations in the globalized and interconnected modern economy has increased the need for language services to facilitate a broad range of cross-language communication. Much of the prior research on language in international business has emphasized a metaphorical language barrier and the concept of equivalence in translation, while failing to recognize the strategic importance of translation and interpreting. By contrast, this chapter emphasizes the role of language service professionals in achieving corporate communication goals. A framework is offered that links a firm’s response to information asymmetry (to mitigate or maintain) and whether the communication is internal to the firm or with an external party. This two-dimensional approach implies four types of communication goals, and we offer examples of how firms might achieve these goals. The framework recognizes the value of translation and interpreting in adopting strategic translation policies for operating in a multilingual environment.

Abstract

The size and scope of multinational corporations in the globalized and interconnected modern economy has increased the need for language services to facilitate a broad range of cross-language communication. Much of the prior research on language in international business has emphasized a metaphorical language barrier and the concept of equivalence in translation, while failing to recognize the strategic importance of translation and interpreting. By contrast, this chapter emphasizes the role of language service professionals in achieving corporate communication goals. A framework is offered that links a firm’s response to information asymmetry (to mitigate or maintain) and whether the communication is internal to the firm or with an external party. This two-dimensional approach implies four types of communication goals, and we offer examples of how firms might achieve these goals. The framework recognizes the value of translation and interpreting in adopting strategic translation policies for operating in a multilingual environment.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Contributors ix
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Section I. Revisiting the foundations of asymmetry
  6. Chapter 1. Translating strangers 15
  7. Chapter 2. Negotiating asymmetry 35
  8. Chapter 3. Helpers, professional authority, and pathologized bodies 55
  9. Chapter 4. An information asymmetry framework for strategic translation policy in multinational corporations 77
  10. Chapter 5. Tom, Dick and Harry as well as Fido and Puss in boots are translators 101
  11. Section II. Unveiling the structure
  12. Chapter 6. Child language brokering in Swedish welfare institutions 125
  13. Chapter 7. Responsibility, powerlessness, and conflict 145
  14. Chapter 8. Of places, spaces, and faces 169
  15. Chapter 9. Translating values 197
  16. Chapter 10. EU institutional websites 227
  17. Section III. Resisting asymmetries
  18. Chapter 11. Translation, multilingualism and power differential in contemporary African literature 255
  19. Chapter 12. Small yet powerful 269
  20. Chapter 13. Against the asymmetry of the post-Francoist canon 291
  21. Chapter 14. Citizens as agents of translation versions 313
  22. Chapter 15. (Re)locating translation within asymmetrical power dynamics 335
  23. Chapter 16. Agency and social responsibility in the translation of the migration crisis 361
  24. Index 379
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.157.04han

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Contributors ix
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Section I. Revisiting the foundations of asymmetry
  6. Chapter 1. Translating strangers 15
  7. Chapter 2. Negotiating asymmetry 35
  8. Chapter 3. Helpers, professional authority, and pathologized bodies 55
  9. Chapter 4. An information asymmetry framework for strategic translation policy in multinational corporations 77
  10. Chapter 5. Tom, Dick and Harry as well as Fido and Puss in boots are translators 101
  11. Section II. Unveiling the structure
  12. Chapter 6. Child language brokering in Swedish welfare institutions 125
  13. Chapter 7. Responsibility, powerlessness, and conflict 145
  14. Chapter 8. Of places, spaces, and faces 169
  15. Chapter 9. Translating values 197
  16. Chapter 10. EU institutional websites 227
  17. Section III. Resisting asymmetries
  18. Chapter 11. Translation, multilingualism and power differential in contemporary African literature 255
  19. Chapter 12. Small yet powerful 269
  20. Chapter 13. Against the asymmetry of the post-Francoist canon 291
  21. Chapter 14. Citizens as agents of translation versions 313
  22. Chapter 15. (Re)locating translation within asymmetrical power dynamics 335
  23. Chapter 16. Agency and social responsibility in the translation of the migration crisis 361
  24. Index 379
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