The untranslatability of environmental affective scales: insights from indigenous soundscape perceptions in China

Soundscapes significantly impact human well-being, yet standard Western-based Soundscape Affective Quality (SAQ) scales may not accurately represent culturally specific perceptions. This study explored structural differences in soundscape emotional experiences between Chinese and Western cultures using an indigenous approach. An Indigenous Chinese SAQ (ICSAQ) scale was developed through perceptual evaluations of 132 representative Chinese soundscape excerpts by 264 participants from 30 provinces, employing 108 culturally relevant descriptors. Principal component analysis revealed two dimensions-Comfort and Richness-differing notably from the global Pleasantness-Eventfulness model. Comparison with the translated global SAQ scale showed significant measurement bias, with the imported scale overestimating positive emotions and activation levels. Regression analyses confirmed the ICSAQ scale's stronger interpretability regarding objective acoustic indicators. The findings highlight critical limitations of translation-based environmental affective measurements, emphasizing the necessity of culturally appropriate assessment tools for inclusive urban environmental management.