Sports cultural lexis translation in competitive sport contexts: effects on athletes’ competitive identity and achievement motivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119046Keywords:
Acchievement motivation, competitive identity, multilingual sport environment, sport translation, sport communication, cultural lexisAbstract
Introduction: In multilingual competitive sport, translated sport terminology does not only transfer information; it can also transmit cultural meanings related to effort, discipline, resilience, success, and belonging. These meanings may shape how athletes interpret their competitive role and motivational demands.
Objective: This study examined the relationship between athletes’ perceptions of sports cultural lexis translation, competitive identity, and achievement motivation in multilingual competitive sport contexts.
Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional correlational design was used. Data were collected from 240 competitive athletes exposed to translated or culturally mediated sport communication. Participants completed a structured questionnaire including demographic and sport-related items, the Sports Cultural Lexis Translation Perception Scale, a Competitive Identity Scale, an Achievement Motivation in Sport Scale, and a Physical Activity Quiz. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, independent-samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression models controlling for physical activity, competitive experience, and competition level.
Findings: Sports cultural lexis translation was positively associated with competitive identity and achievement motivation. Regression models showed that athletes’ perceptions of culturally equivalent, motivationally resonant, and contextually appropriate translated sport language explained additional variance in competitive identity and achievement motivation beyond general sport involvement indicators.
Discussion: The findings suggest that translated sport discourse may function as part of the psychological and cultural environment of competition. Rather than acting as a neutral linguistic tool, translation appears to be associated with how athletes interpret competitive self-concept and achievement-related orientation.
Conclusion: The study indicates that culturally sensitive sport translation is relevant for multilingual coaching, athlete development, and sport communication. However, because the design was cross-sectional and correlational, the results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects.
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