This study is at the crossroads of cognitive linguistics, lexicography and terminology, and explores the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural boundaries of their approaches to perception and categorization in order to expose any cultural constraints superimposed on the creativity of specialized translators. Objects of analysis in this study are conceptualization and designation as emerging from specialized text types that are not typically associated with creativity or culture specificity, texts that are more descriptive or prescriptive rather than expressive or persuasive. By investigating specialized terms that only apparently seem to be unrelated to the relevant source (SC) or target culture (TC), the study proves that not only are they actually culture-specific items themselves, but also that they refer to archetypal categories (e.g., form, size, color, etc.) that defy conceptual universals. Starting from the concepts themselves, as represented in pictures, graphs, charts, or similar visual aids, the association between signifier and signified is reconstructed in multiple languages, giving priority to none of them, so as to expose the cultural differences of each in denoting (and connoting) the referent, and the difficulties the translator would meet in providing acceptable solutions for the target culture. Based on the outcome of this study, the cross-cultural constrains acting upon and limiting the creative performance of specialized translators appear to be unsurmountable within the same specific domain if the SL/SC terms have already been lexicalized in the TL/TC, but less so when the translation crosses domains to achieve other goals, in which case the translator is left free to even transcreate.

Cross-linguistic and cross-cultural conceptualization of specialized terms in corporate culture

Gaballo, Viviana
2022

Abstract

This study is at the crossroads of cognitive linguistics, lexicography and terminology, and explores the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural boundaries of their approaches to perception and categorization in order to expose any cultural constraints superimposed on the creativity of specialized translators. Objects of analysis in this study are conceptualization and designation as emerging from specialized text types that are not typically associated with creativity or culture specificity, texts that are more descriptive or prescriptive rather than expressive or persuasive. By investigating specialized terms that only apparently seem to be unrelated to the relevant source (SC) or target culture (TC), the study proves that not only are they actually culture-specific items themselves, but also that they refer to archetypal categories (e.g., form, size, color, etc.) that defy conceptual universals. Starting from the concepts themselves, as represented in pictures, graphs, charts, or similar visual aids, the association between signifier and signified is reconstructed in multiple languages, giving priority to none of them, so as to expose the cultural differences of each in denoting (and connoting) the referent, and the difficulties the translator would meet in providing acceptable solutions for the target culture. Based on the outcome of this study, the cross-cultural constrains acting upon and limiting the creative performance of specialized translators appear to be unsurmountable within the same specific domain if the SL/SC terms have already been lexicalized in the TL/TC, but less so when the translation crosses domains to achieve other goals, in which case the translator is left free to even transcreate.
2022
Language use, education, and professional contexts. Second language learning and teaching.
978-3-030-96094-0
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Gaballo_Cross-culturalConceptualizationOfSpecializedTerms_2022.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Preprint (submitted version)
Licenza: Accesso libero
Dimensione 664.77 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
664.77 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Gaballo_Cross-cultural_2022.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Published (publisher's version)
Licenza: Accesso privato - non pubblico
Dimensione 225.94 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
225.94 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Frontespizio-TOC-Springer-Language.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Published (publisher's version)
Licenza: Accesso privato - non pubblico
Dimensione 87.53 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
87.53 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3504808
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact