It is widely acknowledged that linguistic research can be relevant and useful in translation as it provides theoretical and practical instruments for translators. In this paper, I will invert the perspective and show how translation can become a privileged vantage point for the empirical observation of the dynamics at work in the lexicon of a linguistic system. In particular, I will focus on the role of translation as a heuristic tool in the investigation of Lexical Complexity, in that it highlights the non-linear mapping between words and concepts in different text types, the complex mapping between words belonging to different lexical systems, and also (and above all) the complex interplay between functions and meanings under the constraints imposed by culture-specificity to text-recontextualization. I will exemplify my claims with some considerations on the translation of an English verb of cognitive attitude into Italian.
Translation as a vantage point for the linguist: a case study from the investigation of lexical complexity
CAPPELLI, GLORIA
2006-01-01
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that linguistic research can be relevant and useful in translation as it provides theoretical and practical instruments for translators. In this paper, I will invert the perspective and show how translation can become a privileged vantage point for the empirical observation of the dynamics at work in the lexicon of a linguistic system. In particular, I will focus on the role of translation as a heuristic tool in the investigation of Lexical Complexity, in that it highlights the non-linear mapping between words and concepts in different text types, the complex mapping between words belonging to different lexical systems, and also (and above all) the complex interplay between functions and meanings under the constraints imposed by culture-specificity to text-recontextualization. I will exemplify my claims with some considerations on the translation of an English verb of cognitive attitude into Italian.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
