N°021_Vol.1_09

Introduction: Tourism translation constitutes a highly specialized area of translation studies due to its interdisciplinary nature and its close relationship with language, culture, and communication. Unlike general translation, tourism translation requires the transfer not only of linguistic meaning but also of cultural values, historical references, and destination-specific information. As noted by W. Suo (2024), tourism texts are characterized by rich cultural connotations and historical backgrounds that demand careful interpretation and adaptation by translators. Consequently, tourism translation plays a crucial role in facilitating intercultural communication between tourists and host communities.

In this context, translation extends beyond the mere establishment of linguistic equivalence. It functions as a strategic tool for the dissemination of information, the promotion of destinations, and the valorization of cultural heritage (A. Pukiene, L. Brazauskaite-Zubaviciene, M. Prodanovic, M. Piirman, K. Jäärats, 2025). By ensuring that tourism-related content is accessible to international audiences, translation contributes to enhancing visitors’ understanding of local cultures and encourages meaningful interactions between travellers and local populations. Moreover, the effectiveness of tourism communication largely depends on the accuracy, clarity, and precision of translated materials. According to A. Pukiene et al. (2025), well-translated tourism texts enable tourists to make informed decisions, improve their travel experiences, and foster deeper engagement with the cultural environment of the destination.

The Republic of Guinea possesses significant tourism potential, characterized by diverse natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and historical attractions. To valorise such an asset, The leaders of the republic of Guinea are making strong efforts to valorise the sector of tourism (la Vision 2040 pour une Guinée émergente et prospère; APIP, 2025; Office National du Tourism, 2023). However, it appears nowhere that language facilitation can strongly help in the promotion and achievement of such a vision. Consequently,  the promotion of these resources at the international level remains constrained by linguistic barriers, particularly in regions bordering countries with different official languages. This situation is particularly evident in la Guinée forestière, a region located at the crossroads of Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. While Côte d’Ivoire is predominantly French-speaking, Sierra Leone and Liberia are English-speaking countries, creating a multilingual environment that highlights the importance of effective French–English translation in tourism communication. Against this background, the present study investigates the role of translation, with a particular emphasis on French–English translation, in promoting and valorizing the tourism sector in the Republic of Guinea. More specifically, it examines how translation can contribute to increasing the visibility and accessibility of tourism resources in la Guinée forestière, thereby fostering cross-border tourism exchanges and supporting the region’s socio-economic development.

Effective communication plays a sensitive role in the valorisation of any sector. The field of tourism is not an exception mainly when it is known as a domain calling people from various horizons. Translation which is an activity aiming at bridging gaps between communities speaking different languages then becomes an important tool that can be used to strengthen communication and reach a larger audience in the domain of tourism. Moreover, in some universities of the country, particularly to name few, University of N’zérékoré (UZ), University of Julius Nyerere of Kankan (UJNK), General University of Lansana Conté (UGLC), University of Kindia (UK) there are English departments training learners for a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of translation. Tourism in the country and mainly in the region can stand as a panacea for translation specialists trained in those universities. French-English translation can make it more visible and striking through the world. Despite the critical role of accurate translations in tourism, it is observed a lack of a serious consideration of how impactful translation can be in promoting tourism in the republic of Guinea and in la Guinée forestière. This calls for attention and raises some questions. 

The current research tries to answer the following questions: what impacts can French-English translation services provide in the valorisation of tourism potentials in la Guinée forestière? What challenges are prevalent in French-English translation in the domain of tourism in la Guinée forestière? How can translators overcome French-English translation challenges in the tourism field in la Guinée forestière? It is seriously considered in this study that: quality translation will positively influence tourism services in la Guinée forestière; translators in the field tourism will be confronted with terminological and cultural challenges in their job; translation in the field of tourism will require additional efforts from practicians to bridge up cultural and terminological gaps in their jobs. Significantly, the sector of tourism needs better translation strategies in order to reveal touristic potentials of the Republic of Guinea, particularly, the forestry region of N’Zérékoré. Consequently, the main purpose of the current investigation is to explore the impact of French-English translation services on the valorisation of tourism in la Guinée forestière with a focus on translators’ perception.