Five reasons why semiotics is good for Translation Studies
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Ubaldo Stecconi
Abstract
Using the theoretical and methodological framework of C.S. Peirce’s theory of signs, I move from the assumption that translation is a special form of sign–action or semiosis. Simply stated, this means that all translating is semiosis but not all semiosis is translating. I will try to show that semiotics is good for Translation Studies for (at least) five reasons:
– it is a theory of signs in general, not of verbal language;
– it provides a viable model for the core of translation events;
– it redefines the traditional image of translating as transfer;
– it casts new light on equivalence and loss; and
– it affords an investigation of the logico-semiotic conditions to translation in general.
The last point is crucial. Three existential characters can be identified for translation semiosis: difference, similarity, and mediation. Together, they can help us frame a fundamental question: “What do we talk about when we talk about translation?”
Abstract
Using the theoretical and methodological framework of C.S. Peirce’s theory of signs, I move from the assumption that translation is a special form of sign–action or semiosis. Simply stated, this means that all translating is semiosis but not all semiosis is translating. I will try to show that semiotics is good for Translation Studies for (at least) five reasons:
– it is a theory of signs in general, not of verbal language;
– it provides a viable model for the core of translation events;
– it redefines the traditional image of translating as transfer;
– it casts new light on equivalence and loss; and
– it affords an investigation of the logico-semiotic conditions to translation in general.
The last point is crucial. Three existential characters can be identified for translation semiosis: difference, similarity, and mediation. Together, they can help us frame a fundamental question: “What do we talk about when we talk about translation?”
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction ix
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1. Theory
- What is a unique item? 3
- Five reasons why semiotics is good for Translation Studies 15
- Translation Studies and Transfer Studies 27
- Modelling translator’s competence 41
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2. Methodology
- Notes for a cartography of literary translation history in Portugal 59
- Establishing an online bibliographic database for Canadian Literary Translation Studies 73
- The role of technology in translation management 85
- Establishing rigour in a between-method investigation of SI expertise 99
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3. Empirical Research
- Translation revision 115
- Translational analysis and the dynamics of reading 127
- The effect of translation on humour response 137
- SAT, BLT, Spirit Biscuits, and the Third Amendment 153
- Reception, text and context in the study of opera surtitles 169
- What makes interpreters’ notes efficient? 183
- Traduction, genre et discours scientifique 199
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4. Linguistics-based
- Evaluative noun phrases in journalism and their translation from English into Finnish 213
- Translating the implicit 223
- Divisions, description and applications 237
- A clivagem no português 253
- Construals in literary translation 267
- Phraseologie und Übersetzung unter Anwendung von Parallelkorpora 281
- The relevance of utterer-centered linguistics to translation studies 297
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5. Literature-based
- De la question de la lisibilité des traductions françaises de Don Quijote 311
- Collusion or authenticity 323
- Translators’ agency in 19th-century Finland 335
- Le concept de mimésis 347
- Name index 357
- Subject index 359
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction ix
-
1. Theory
- What is a unique item? 3
- Five reasons why semiotics is good for Translation Studies 15
- Translation Studies and Transfer Studies 27
- Modelling translator’s competence 41
-
2. Methodology
- Notes for a cartography of literary translation history in Portugal 59
- Establishing an online bibliographic database for Canadian Literary Translation Studies 73
- The role of technology in translation management 85
- Establishing rigour in a between-method investigation of SI expertise 99
-
3. Empirical Research
- Translation revision 115
- Translational analysis and the dynamics of reading 127
- The effect of translation on humour response 137
- SAT, BLT, Spirit Biscuits, and the Third Amendment 153
- Reception, text and context in the study of opera surtitles 169
- What makes interpreters’ notes efficient? 183
- Traduction, genre et discours scientifique 199
-
4. Linguistics-based
- Evaluative noun phrases in journalism and their translation from English into Finnish 213
- Translating the implicit 223
- Divisions, description and applications 237
- A clivagem no português 253
- Construals in literary translation 267
- Phraseologie und Übersetzung unter Anwendung von Parallelkorpora 281
- The relevance of utterer-centered linguistics to translation studies 297
-
5. Literature-based
- De la question de la lisibilité des traductions françaises de Don Quijote 311
- Collusion or authenticity 323
- Translators’ agency in 19th-century Finland 335
- Le concept de mimésis 347
- Name index 357
- Subject index 359
