Ethnocentrism is the inclination to evaluate groups of people based on the values, ideas, behaviors and traditions. Because culture can be automatic, when individuals evaluate their culture with respect to others, they frequently decide that their culture is superior to the culture of others. Xenophobia is an even more intense response that occurs when an individual fears unfamiliar people and foreigners. Obviously, certified translators with ethnocentric and xenophobic views are probably not going to communicate effectively with other cultures.
Erroneous opinions about other cultures are often caused by stereotyping, rendering a variety of generalized qualities to someone based on their culture. One example is believing that middle age coworkers will be out of touch with teens or that middle school children are unable to be inspiring leaders. These are examples of stereotyping based on age groups.
According to The Marketing Analysts Translation Services Company, translators who choose to respect the differences of others and correspond successfully in professional settings must go beyond respecting other cultures on their own conditions. As you travel outside your own cultural boundary, you can expect to find greater success once you accept and adapt your communication style to that of the new cultures and integrate aspects of those cultures into your own.
Following these practices can help translators:
• Never make assumptions. Don’t assume that others will act like you, know your language and symbols, or share your values and beliefs.
• Don’t judge others. When individuals behave differently, don’t decide that their behavior is wrong or substandard.
• Be accepting of differences. Don’t ignore the differences between another person’s culture and your own.
Regrettably, avoiding ethnocentrism and stereotyping isn’t a simple undertaking. Furthermore, several studies indicate that individuals frequently have subconscious opinions and tendencies that they’re not actually aware of- and that may even clash with the values they believe they hold.
