I have conducted in-depth qualitative interviews in the Nepali language. I have transcribed the audio recordings in the original language. When is the right time for translating the transcripts into English?
Transcribe -> Translate->Back-translate->Analyze in English->Write-up
or,
Transcribe->Analyze in original language->Translate->Back-translate->Write-up
or,
Transcribe->Analyze->Write-up in original language->Translate->Back-translate
???
Hi Bibek,
To keep the interview fresh in your mind, its best to transcribe the interview as soon as possible. The transcribed interviews can then be translated to the language of the research dissemination, if you have made notes during the interviews, then this will be helpful to add context to the spoken word. This can then be analysed and written up based on the themes and your research objectives using appropriate qualitative data analysis methods - thematic analyis, framework approach ...
Itodo.
I have found myself in the same situation multiple times. What works for me is this: (1) Transcribing (2) Coding/analyzing in original language (3) translating into English only those segments that are of interest. Others may follow a different approach. Good luck!
Any references for supporting both alternatives, translation->analysis or analysis->translation?
There are different ways of doing that indeed as you mentioned In my case I transcribed in Arabic then Analyzed them and translated. so translation is the last but there are several issues in translation between languages in my opinion should be addressed as part of evaluating the qualitative research and as ethical issues as well.