Contracting, expanding and integrating translation: who and where to draw the line?

Abstract

This paper looks into the many-sided debate on the definition and thus delimitation of translation, extending over a generalized conception of translation as interlingual meaning transfer, a linguistically-centered expansion of translation, a modal orientation of translation, as well as a semiotic reform of translation. It is contended that the many ‘expansionist’ attempts at redefining translation, albeit bringing about a refreshing departure from the rigid, traditional concept at first blush, are either still predisposed to the translation myth (a manifestation of the language myth), or reliant on decontextualization and depersonalization. An integrationist critique on some major trends in the redefinition of translation will be offered in this paper, as well as an introduction to an integrationist view of translation.