Chapter 9: Translation's Role in Building International Cultural Foundations

Translation activities not only facilitated the transfer of knowledge but also served as bridges that enriched the intellectual structures of civilizations and provided new perspectives. Throughout recorded history, the ancient wisdom of humanity traveled from Egyptian hieroglyphs and Sumerian tablets to ancient Greek, from Greek to Arabic, from Arabic to Latin, and then from Latin to French, English, and German. Each language carried all of its cultural elements, traveling between civilizations and playing a defining role in cultural interaction. This research aims to show how these three major historical translation activities culturally enabled internationalization through the opportunities language provides. It seeks to demonstrate that these translation efforts ensured not only the transfer of knowledge but also the continuity of cultural, scientific, and philosophical heritage. In this context, the study will examine how translation has contributed to a society’s system of thought, worldview, and scientific development process.