In Realia as Carriers of National and Historical Overtones, the concept of Realia discussed in the article is fascinating because it shows that translation is not just about finding one-to-one equivalents for words but about bridging cultural differences. In translation, Realia serves as a cultural bridge, helping to convey the unique aspects of one culture to another. I completely agree with this perspective, as I’ve experienced it personally while learning Japanese. For example, in Japanese, there’s a term called Satoyamaさとやま. It refers to rural communities that live in harmony with nature, embodying a relationship between people and the environment. Translating Satoyama into English or Chinese is incredibly challenging because it’s not just a literal concept—it carries cultural, historical, and philosophical significance. To truly understand Satoyama, you need to explore how Japanese people value nature and integrate it into their way of life. A simple word-for-word translation cannot capture this depth. This reflects the idea that translation is more than linguistic conversion—it’s about understanding and conveying the cultural background and worldview behind the terms. As someone learning Japanese, I’ve realized that to fully grasp these cultural terms, I need to immerse myself in their context and history. This is why Realia is so important in translation; it not only preserves the meaning of words but also fosters cross-cultural understanding.
