An analysis of informed consent forms in health translation in terms of equivalence

Ensuring accurate and effective communication in the field of healthcare requires that the concept of equivalence play a decisive role in the translation of informed consent documents into different languages. In particular, when translating between languages from different language families, such as Turkish and Arabic, achieving equivalence is of vital importance for ensuring that patients are properly informed. The aim of this study is to identify common equivalence-related problems encountered in health translation, focusing specifically on informed consent documents, to reveal the causes of these problems, and to offer solutions. The research focuses on the following question: "To what extent do Turkish-to-Arabic translations of informed consent documents achieve equivalence in terms of meaning, function, and form?" In this context, both the theoretical foundations of the identified issues and their reflections in practice have been analyzed. The study employed the document analysis method based on a qualitative research approach. The study consists of an introduction, two main chapters, and a conclusion. In the introduction, the definition of translation, the importance and history of health translation, as well as prominent figures in the field of translation are discussed. The first chapter addresses the theories of Denotative, Connotative, Dynamic, and Formal equivalence, in addition to the concept of equivalence in the context of written translation. The second chapter presents a comparative analysis of sample texts taken from informed consent documents translated from Turkish into Arabic and evaluates these translations in terms of equivalence. The terminological, formal, and cultural differences that arise during the translation process are assessed through the selected translation examples, and the translator's responsibilities in these texts are highlighted. Accordingly, the analyses based on the translation examples aim to determine the extent to which the translations of consent forms achieve equivalence. The findings indicate that existing translations achieve a certain level of equivalence but also reveal deficiencies. In this regard, the study is expected to contribute both to increasing professional awareness among health translators and to improving the quality of translated documents used by healthcare institutions. Ultimately, the study aims to support individuals in fully and consciously benefiting from healthcare services, thereby making a significant contribution to patient rights and safety. Keywords: Medical translation, informed consent forms, equivalence, cultural adaptation, Turkish-Arabic translation.