Metaphorical models of translation: Transfer vs imitation and action

Abstract

Metaphorical models play an essential role in scientific reasoning. Through analogical thinking, they guide the elaboration of hypotheses in domains that do not have a clear conceptual structure. Traditionally, the domain of translation has been conceptualized through different metaphors, some of which are still used in modern translation studies. According to the principles of cognitive linguistics, it can be hypothesized that the way in which a person translates might be associated with the way in which that person conceptualizes translation. Since metaphor is an important tool for conceptualizing complex domains, conceptual metaphor theory offers a coherent theoretical frame for both a systematic study of metaphorical models of translation and research into the relations and potential interaction between those models and translation practice. Following this approach, the paper analyzes the basic structure underlying some prevalent metaphors in writings on translation (TRANSFER, FOOTSTEPS, TARGET, ASSIMILATION, REINCARNATION, and PROJECTION) and the implicit communication models they assume, and puts forward some hypotheses about the way in which each metaphor might influence the translator’s work.