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Target
Vol. 3:2 (1991) ► pp.137–152

A False Opposition in Translation Studies

Theoretical versus/and Historical Approaches

 | FUNDP, Namur
After some preliminary notes on the fragmented state of Translation Studies, the author directs his attention to one of the seemingly irreconcilable oppositions within the discipline, namely, between "theoretical" and "historical" approaches to translation. On the basis of insights from modern epistemology it is claimed that the two are, in fact, complementary and that one should aim for a continuous interplay between them. Normative approaches fail to achieve this and prove to have little explanatory power when confronted with the historical reality of translation. Four discursive strategies are discussed whereby this anomaly is often camouflaged or explained away.
Article outline
  • 1.The Study of Translation
  • 2.Theory versus/and History
  • 3.Restricted Models of Translation
  • 4.Restricted Models of Wordplay Translation, and the Art of Evasion
  • 5.A Final Remark
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 1 January 1991
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.3.2.02del
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Schjoldager, Anne
1995. Interpreting Research and the ‘Manipulation School’ of Translation Studies1. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies 7:1 ► pp. 29 ff. DOI logo
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Delabastita, Dirk
1994. Focus on the Pun. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies 6:2 ► pp. 223 ff. DOI logo
Delabastita, Dirk
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Chesterman, Andrew
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Koster, Cees
1993. Stegeman, Jelle. 1991. Übersetzung und Leser: Untersuchungen zur Übersetzungsäquivalenz dargestellt an der Rezeption von Multatulis 'Max Havelaar' und seinen deutschen Ubersetzungen.. Target. International Journal of Translation Studies 5:1 ► pp. 115 ff. DOI logo
[no author supplied]
2017. Reflections on Translation Theory [Benjamins Translation Library, 132], DOI logo

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