BRIDGING OTHERNESS AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCE AMONG YOUTHS THROUGH TRANSLATION PRACTICES

Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected world, young people are finding themselves at the heart of cultural and linguistic intersections, not just as bystanders, but as active translators and mediators. This study takes a closer look at how youth-led translation fosters inclusion, shapes hybrid identities, and sparks meaningful dialogue across cultural divides. Grounded in frameworks like otherness, hybridity, and sociocultural learning, it draws from real-life examples like immigrant teens interpreting for their families, digital activists translating for social causes, and peer mediation in multicultural classrooms, it also unpacks the ethical tensions and emotional weight young translators often carry. While their roles are vital, whether in households, schools, or online movements, they are rarely trained or supported. The research calls for concrete measures: tailored education, smarter use of AI tools, and policies that validate and protect these efforts. Looking ahead, there's an urgent need to better understand the emotional labour involved, anticipate how AI might transform youth translation, and build structures that give these young cultural brokers the credit and care they deserve. Keywords: Youth translation, cultural mediation, otherness, bilingualism, social inclusion, digital activism, AI translation