Abstract
Jakobson’s article “On linguistic aspects of translation” proposes a tripartite division of translation as intralingual, interlingual, and intersemiotic, which offers a panorama of a semiotic approach to translation, especially to what is translation in a multileveled sense. Subsequent scholars develop the two implicit ideas in his article, named by the author as “translation as sign transformation” and “translation as sign interpretation.” While further widening the scope and enriching the perspective of Jakobson’s typology, current literature remains purely theoretical in essence. As a particular research area, cultural terminology translation could serve as the axis linking theory and practice, which becomes the primary concern for this paper. Grounded on a review of Jakobson’s division and related literature in translation semiotics, this study proposes a multileveled understanding of cultural terminology translation based on some concrete cases. Cultural terminology translation is regarded as “sign transformation” and “sign interpretation.” As sign transformation, it concerns the transformation of conceptual, linguistic, and cultural signs, while as sign interpretation, it goes from intralingual to interlingual to intersemiotic interpretation. This research concludes that cultural terminology translation is a complex sign activity calling for further investigations.
About the authors
Huang Xinyu (b. 1993) is a PhD candidate at the School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University, China. Her research interest is terminology translation studies. She recently published “Towards a service-oriented knowledge base: The data processing standard of The Standardized Multilingual Termbase for Translating Discourse with Chinese Characteristics” (2019).
Xiangqing Wei (b. 1967) is a Professor at Bilingual Dictionary Research Centre, School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University, China. Her research interests include bilingual lexicography, terminology translation studies, and translation theory and practice. Her recent publications include: “On the international communication of discourse with Chinese characteristics and the standardization of terminology translation: The basics”(2019), “Conceptualization and theorization of terminology translation in humanities and social sciences” (2018), Lexicography in China (1978–2008) (2014), An introduction to English– Chinese term translation (2012).
Runze Liu (b. 1991) is an Associate Research Fellow at the School of Foreign Studies, Nanjing University, China. His research interests include translation studies, translation-oriented terminology, and academic discourse analysis. His publications include: “China-based lexicographical practice and translation studies discourse construction: Diachronic comparison and conception innovation” (2019), “From practice to theorization: Characteristics of translation-oriented terminology in China” (2018), “Equivalence as a key term and its impact on the organization of knowledge in contemporary translation studies: A genealogical study” (2015).
Funding: This research was funded by Nanjing University 2019 Innovation and Creativity Research Program for Doctoral Students (CXCY19-06), the Fundamental Research Funds for Chinese Central Universities “Terminology-methodology in the Discourse Construction of China-based Translation Studies” (14370116), Project of Philosophy and Social Sciences (Jiangsu) “Intangible Cultural Heritage Terminology Translation” (19YYC008).
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