Cultural Representation in Translation: A Venutian Study of Islamic Terms on English Websites

The translation of culturally and religiously significant terms poses challenges that go beyond language. This study examines how around 80 Islamic terms, such as jihad, talaq, hijab, and mahr, are rendered into English across religious books, fatwa websites, academic writings, and bilingual glossaries. Using Lawrence Venuti’s model of domestication and foreignization, the research evaluates how translation strategies affect the meanings, clarity, and cultural depth of these terms. Analysis shows that domestication is the most commonly used approach. While it helps general readers understand the content more easily, it often simplifies or distorts the original meanings and erases essential cultural or religious nuances. In contrast, foreignization, though used less frequently, proves more effective in preserving the integrity of Islamic concepts, especially when accompanied by contextual explanations. The findings highlight how translation choices significantly influence public understanding of Islamic beliefs. The study suggests that retaining original Islamic terms with explanatory notes promotes accuracy, fosters cross-cultural respect, and avoids misinterpretation. This has practical implications for translators, educators, and media professionals who engage with religious or culturally loaded content, emphasizing the ethical responsibility to reflect the source culture faithfully in translation.