Abstract

Translation plays a crucial role in preserving, transmitting, and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge within postcolonial societies. In many colonized regions, Indigenous languages, oral traditions, ecological wisdom, and cultural practices were marginalized through the dominance of colonial languages and epistemologies. This study examines the relationship between translation and cultural sovereignty, emphasizing how translation can function both as a tool of cultural appropriation and as a means of resistance and empowerment. By analyzing postcolonial theories, Indigenous perspectives, and selected case studies, the research explores the challenges of translating culturally embedded concepts, oral narratives, and traditional knowledge systems without erasing their contextual meanings. The study argues that ethical and community-centered translation practices contribute to the protection of Indigenous identities, linguistic diversity, and intellectual heritage. Furthermore, it highlights the role of translation in fostering intercultural dialogue while safeguarding Indigenous communities’ rights to represent and control their own knowledge systems in an increasingly globalized world.

Keywords: Translation, Cultural Sovereignty, Indigenous Knowledge, Postcolonial Studies, Decolonization, Indigenous Languages, Cultural Identity, Oral Traditions, Knowledge Systems, Intercultural Dialogue.