Which translation method requires the use of a culture-neutral word?

• A. Functional Equivalent
• B. Equivalence
• C. Synonymy
• D. Transposition

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how a translator prioritizes the reader’s experience in a different culture. Functional equivalence aims to produce the same effect on the target audience, so it often calls for substituting culturally loaded expressions with culture-neutral words to prevent cross-cultural misunderstanding. This keeps the intention and impact intact even if the exact wording isn’t a literal match. Other methods focus on preserving form or exact meaning within one language (equivalence), using near synonyms (synonymy), or changing grammatical categories (transposition). None of these specifically require choosing a culture-neutral term to maintain audience response, which is why functional equivalence is the best match.