The accurate characterization of how individuals experience and assess acoustic environments is a fundamental aspect of soundscape studies. As the field advances, there is a growing recognition of the need for standardized tools, such as questionnaires, that can consistently describe the perceived qualities of physical acoustic environments. The ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 standard has been instrumental in this regard, providing a set of “perceptual attributes” like calm, vibrant, pleasant, and annoying, which are used globally for soundscape data collection. However, as soundscape research continues to expand across different linguistic and cultural contexts, significant challenges have emerged, particularly concerning the translation and applicability of these attributes beyond their English formulation.
One of the pressing issues in the soundscape and environmental acoustics communities is whether the perceptual constructs defined in English can be accurately and meaningfully translated into other languages. Initial research suggests that direct translations often fail to capture the nuanced meanings intended in the English terms, leading to potential inconsistencies in data interpretation and comparison across different linguistic and cultural contexts. This challenge is not unique to soundscape studies, as similar difficulties have been encountered in other socio-acoustic survey methods, such as the assessment of noise annoyance as standardized in ISO/TS 15666:2021. To address these challenges, the Soundscape Attributes Translation Project (SATP) was established in 2019 [1]. This international network, which has currently grown to include 30+ institutions across 20+ languages, aimed to validate and refine the translations of soundscape attributes as reported in the ISO/TS 12913-2:2018. In the SATP, Stage 1 focused on developing preliminary translations of the eight Perceived Affective Quality (PAQ) attributes from ISO/TS 12913-2:2018. Each working group, representing different languages, undertook the translation process through expert panels, linguistic input, focus groups, and pilot studies to capture the intended meanings rather than literal translations. Once finalized, these translations were reviewed internally. Stage 2 involved validating the translated PAQs through standardized listening experiments, where native speakers assessed soundscape stimuli using the translated descriptors under controlled conditions. The data collected were analyzed using statistical methods to evaluate the alignment of the translations with the circumplex model, ensuring the structural integrity and cross-cultural validity of the descriptors. The network’s collaborative efforts have been crucial in ensuring that soundscape studies can be conducted with consistent and reliable data across different linguistic contexts [2].
This Special Issue brings together 30 papers that contribute to the ongoing discourse on soundscape attributes translation. While many of these papers are direct outcomes of the SATP network, we are also pleased to include contributions from other scholars who are exploring related topics and challenges. These papers can be broadly categorized into three main themes: Language-Specific Studies; Cross-Country and Cross-Cultural Comparisons; and Methodological papers. A brief overview of each paper included in this Special Issue will be provided in the following sections, according to the three main themes identified. The key contributions of each study will be highlighted, showcasing the diverse approaches and insights offered regarding the translation and validation of soundscape attributes across different languages and cultural contexts. Through this summary, readers will be given a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research in this area and the various methodologies employed by scholars in addressing the complex challenges of soundscape translation. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2024.110305