Translation universals : a usage-based approach
The language used in translated texts is said to differ from the language used in other communicative contexts. Translation-specific linguistic behaviour (translation universals) has been shown to explain those differences at the levels of syntax, lexicon, discourse, and semantics. Scholars seem to disagree as to the roots of this behaviour - some turn to socio-cultural and economic factors such as risk-avoidance while others argue that cognitive processing inherent in translation and unique to it affects the linguistic choices made by translators. The aim of this thesis is to shed new light on translation universals from a usage-based perspective. The plausibility of universal translational behaviour is assessed with reference to what we know about implicit and explicit linguistic knowledge: how it is acquired and how it affects language use. I argue that there is little support for the idea that the process of translation constrains the linguistic choices of translators. Instead, I will show that the differences between translated and non-translated texts observed in many studies, which have been attributed to translation universals, are likely to result from differences between the content of translated
Szymor, Nina
Translation universals : a usage-based approach. The language used in translated texts is said to differ from the language used in other communicative contexts. Translation-specific linguistic behaviour (translation universals) has been shown to explain those differences at the levels of syntax, lexicon, discourse, and semantics. Scholars seem to disagree as to the roots of this behaviour - some turn to socio-cultural and economic factors such as risk-avoidance while others argue that cognitive processing inherent in translation and unique to it affects the linguistic choices made by translators. The aim of this thesis is to shed new light on translation universals from a usage-based perspective. The plausibility of universal translational behaviour is assessed with reference to what we know about implicit and explicit linguistic knowledge: how it is acquired and how it affects language use. I argue that there is little support for the idea that the process of translation constrains the linguistic choices of translators. Instead, I will show that the differences between translated and non-translated texts observed in many studies, which have been attributed to translation universals, are likely to result from differences between the content of translated
translation universal usage_based approach language_use translate_text say differ language_use communicative_context translation specific_linguistic behaviour translation universal show explain difference_level syntax lexicon discourse semantics scholars seem disagree root behaviour turn socio_cultural economic_factor risk avoidance others argue cognitive_processing inherent translation unique affect linguistic choice_make translator aim_shed new_light translation universal usage_based perspective plausibility universal translational behaviour assess reference know implicit_explicit linguistic_knowledge acquire affect language_use argue little support_idea process_translation constrain linguistic choice translator instead show difference translate non_translated text observe many study attribute translation universal likely difference content translate