Literary translation extends beyond the transfer of linguistic expressions from one language into another; it involves the negotiation of cultural meanings, identities, values and worldviews. In French–English literary translation, the translator occupies a significant position as a cultural mediator who interprets, reconstructs and communicates meanings embedded in literary texts across different linguistic and cultural environments. This paper examines the translator's role in negotiating cultural differences and reconstructing meaning and identity in the translation of French literary works into English. It explores the challenges associated with culture-specific expressions, idiomatic constructions, historical references, symbolism and culturally embedded narratives. Drawing on concepts from cultural translation, functional equivalence and intercultural communication, the paper argues that literary translation should not be understood as a mechanical reproduction of the source text but as an interpretative and creative process influenced by cultural contexts. It further establishes that the translator's cultural awareness, linguistic competence and interpretative decisions significantly influence how identities and cultural meanings are represented in the target language. The paper concludes that the translator functions as an essential cultural intermediary whose responsibility extends beyond linguistic accuracy to the preservation, negotiation and effective communication of cultural identity.