Political Translation in the
Yemeni Media: Between Linguistic Mediation and Political
Manipulation
Aswan Ali Mansoor Saleh & Abdullah
Mohammed Salem
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the complex role of
political translation in Yemeni media, highlighting how it operates
between the realms of linguistic mediation and political
manipulation. Drawing on Critical Discourse Analysis, the research
analyzes five news texts reporting on the Yemeni conflict, with the
aim of uncovering the ways translation choices can influence the
representation of events. The findings reveal two contrasting
tendencies: neutral translations that preserve objectivity and
accuracy, and manipulative translations that strategically reshape
meaning. The latter reframe events, amplify ideological messages,
and direct public opinion toward specific political stances. Among
the strategies identified are lexical intensification, shifts in
agency, selective omission or addition, and recontextualization,
each contributing to subtle yet impactful changes in the narrative.
The study argues that political translation functions not only as a
linguistic transfer but also as a process of ideological
negotiation, with implications for both domestic and international
audiences. By shedding light on these dynamics, the research
underscores the ethical responsibility of translators and media
professionals in conflict-sensitive contexts, emphasizing the need
for critical awareness of how translation can shape perceptions and
narratives of war and politics in Yemen.
Keywords: Linguistic Mediation, Media Framing, Political
Manipulation, Political Translation, Yemeni Media.
