Translation and Relevance: Cognition and Context [Hardcover]

Ernst-August Gutt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631178570 | ISBN-13: 978-0631178576 | Publication Date: April 1991

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Pub (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631178570
• ISBN-13: 978-0631178576
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,195,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.