Published Article / Discourse on translation studies is situated in this article outside linguistics, in musical studies. Contextualising and problematising issues when music from African choir culture is translated for non-Africans (Westerners) to perform, the main problem - translation as negotiation - is explored together with notions of hybridity, the 'Third Space', boundaries, identity, authenticity and cultural compatibility within performance contexts. Cultural studies bring to linguistics a wider perspective of translation; how translation studies relate to other disciplines and expressive forms, like music. The researchers argue that translation of African choir music for performance by non-Africans can only be achieved in cultural dialogue.