Translating Communication Measures for Use in Non-English-Speaking Populations

Abstract

Research involving comparisons between English-speaking and non-English-speaking populations often includes a process of scale translation. The goals of translation of a psychosocial instrument from its original, source language (e.g., English) to another target language (e.g., Spanish) are to maintain denotative and connotative word meanings, and to ensure the source and target scales correctly measure the attributes of interest. This essay offers advice on some of the important issues related to the translation of instruments used in communication research. Specific concerns about various translation methods are addressed, and suggestions for assessing the semantic equivalence and translation invariance of scales are discussed.

Keywords:

• Instrument translation
• Semantic equivalence
• Translation invariance

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melinda M. Villagran

Melinda M. Villagran (PhD, University of Oklahoma, 2001) is in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78249, USA and in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78 229, USA (Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected])

Joseph F. Lucke*

Dr Lucke was partially supported by a grant from the MESA Center for Health Disparities Joseph F. Lucke (PhD, University of Kansas, 1980), Assistant Professor and Statistical Scientist, Department of Family Nursing Care, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA (Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected])