Intercultural translation building transnational solidarity:

the World March of Women

Abstract

This article addresses intercultural translation as a key element in building transnational solidarity, based on the case study of the World March of Women (WMW) movement. Translation, beyond language, is fundamental to the internationalist identity of social movements. For the World March of Women, this is a central issue given its diversity of languages and political cultures, intersected by power relations. I analyze the politics of translation at international WMW meetings and the building of international agendas based on solidarity and diversity, considering power relations. How is translation done? Who translates and what does is take? How to struggles of women from different parts of the world resonate? The WMW experience can offer valuable lessons for the analysis of transnational social movements. The research was conducted as part of my doctoral dissertation, with in-depth interviews, document analysis and participant observation at regional and international meetings. Claiming diversity as a richness is a political decision, and translation is key to building transnational platforms based on a plurality of voices.