Cultural Turn

The extensive training data of ChatGPT has facilitated theorizing in the field of Translation Studies, particularly during the cultural turn. Following this theorizing, a standardization framework was proposed. This study employed a qualitative and interdisciplinary approach, utilizing a descriptive method to interpret the data. The validated questions were based on the works of theorists associated with the cultural turn. Two scholars participated in structured and semi-structured interviews, employing a three-point Likert scale to capture their opinions on the proposed theory. Data analysis focused on the accuracy of ChatGPT-4’s responses in relation to the scholars’ opinions and references. The findings associated with the Likert scale were linked to task-oriented benchmarks, including factual/contextual understanding, coherence, and resolution of ambiguity. The results indicated a 29.3% weakness in ChatGPT-4’s data analysis. The resolution of ambiguity resulted in a total of neutral responses at 44.8%. Scholars unanimously endorsed the cultural interaction theory, demonstrating a 100% capacity for theorizing by ChatGPT-4. In terms of coherence and summarization, the data suggested a stronger correlation with prompt engineering. The potential for theorizing concerning existing theory was found to be 77.7%, while the standard of theorizing by ChatGPT-4 was assessed at 68.9%. Surah Al-Fatiha was selected to exemplify cultural translation according to CIT, illustrating the theory’s effectiveness in translating cultural-ideological texts. A comparison of ChatGPT-4’s translations with those of six Quranic translators underscored its synthesizing abilities, with the incorporation of cultural interaction theory into prompts significantly enhancing its translation skills.

Throughout Islamic history, translation has served not merely as a linguistic bridge but as a civilizational instrument, shaping scientific, philosophical, and cultural trajectories. This study explores the role of three major translation movements, the Sassanid, Abbasid, and Qajar periods, in constructing and transmitting the knowledge foundational to the development of Islamic civilization. Grounded in the cultural turn framework of translation studies and informed by the theory of modern Islamic civilization as articulated by Imam Khamenei, the research identifies six core factors: the role of translators as cultural mediators, the strategic selection of texts, the establishment of translation institutions, resistance to overreliance on translation, and the influence of ideological and policy-driven support structures. A qualitative, descriptive-analytical method was employed, with data analyzed through thematic coding and comparative historical analysis. The findings suggest that revitalizing these key elements in the present context could enable the global dissemination of Islamic civilizational values, positioning translation as a strategic, future-oriented tool.