Translation and Relevance: Cognition and Context

by Ernst-August Gutt

The aim of this book is to develop the first satisfactory theory of translation, or rather a complete theoretical basis to account for the phenomena of translation. By contrast with previous typological and structuralist approaches, it grounds translation squarely in cognition. It argues that the quality of a translation depends on how well it meets the psychological requirements of communication and shows that what the translator can achieve in a translation depends largely on the context of his audience. In this Ernst-August Gutt views the principles and guidelines of translation as particular applications of the principle of Relevance as described by Sperber and Wilson. He argues, in short, that the Relevance framework provides all the theoretical concepts necessary for translation and that there is no need for a distinct theory. This book also offers extensions and modifications of Relevance theory, many of which have implications for the notions of paraphrase, direct and indirect quotation, parody and, more generally, for forms of linguistic communication which involve the exploitation of resemblances between utterances or text.

Genres: Linguistics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Bledar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevance for the authotr, translator, or reader? Depending on context, all of or some of them. The book asks practical questions and offers practical suggestions. I am delving more on this.