Final answer:
The word "translation" etymologically means "carrying across," which is related to the concept of cultural transmission where people, ideas, and cultures intermingle and integrate due to migration and globalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rushdie uses the term "translation" to signify not just the literal act of converting text from one language to another, but also the metaphorical transfer of people and ideas across cultures—what we might also refer to as cultural transmission. The etymology of the word "translation," according to Rushdie, traces back to the idea of "carrying across".
Within the context of cultural studies, this concept aligns closely with how cultures and ideas are disseminated, often resulting in cultural diffusion and cultural hybridity. Nowadays, the act of translation encompasses much more than language conversion; it involves the integration of different cultures, beliefs, and practices as people and their ideas move from one place to another.