Multilingual translation issues in qualitative research: reflections on a metaphorical process

Area of Science:

• Qualitative Research Methods
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Existing research on measurement instruments overlooks multilingual qualitative tool construction.
• Traditional translation methods (forward/backward) often fail to achieve conceptual equivalence.
• This gap is critical for culturally sensitive qualitative data collection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an alternative method for constructing multilingual qualitative tools.
• To describe the multicentric translation process for developing a cross-European interview guide.
• To enhance conceptual equivalence and rigor in multilingual qualitative inquiry.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a creative arts metaphor of 'weaving' to conceptualize multicentric translation.
• Developed an interview guide for palliative care patients across six European countries.
• Employed four core constructs: Cohesion, Congruence, Clarity, and Courtesy.

Main Results:

• The multicentric translation process, emphasizing researcher-translator reciprocity, facilitated nuanced meaning construction.
• This approach proved effective in addressing cultural parameters influencing sensitive data collection.
• The translator's role evolved into a collaborative partnership, strengthening the inquiry's rigor.

Conclusions:

• Multicentric translation offers a robust alternative to traditional methods for multilingual qualitative tool development.
• Enhanced collaboration between researchers and translators is key for cultural nuance and data integrity.
• This methodology is particularly valuable for research involving vulnerable populations and sensitive topics.