Translation as a communicative unit in language

In this way, translators work not only with natural languages butalso with metalanguages, languages of description. One of themissions of the translator is to increase the receptivity and dialogiccapability of a culture, and through these also the internal variety ofthat culture. As mediators between languages, translators are impor-tant creators of new metalanguages. That is why a contemporaryunderstanding of translation activity presupposes not merely acomplex approach — the science of translation also has a need forinnovation in the methodology for understanding the translation process.

In this way, translators work not only with natural languages butalso with metalanguages, languages of description. One of themissions of the translator is to increase the receptivity and dialogiccapability of a culture, and through these also the internal variety ofthat culture. As mediators between languages, translators are impor-tant creators of new metalanguages. That is why a contemporaryunderstanding of translation activity presupposes not merely acomplex approach — the science of translation also has a need forinnovation in the methodology for understanding the translation process.

What does translation process mean from the methodologicalviewpoint? As I have put it before elsewhere it is a process that takesplace within a translator’s mind, but also within language, culture, andsociety. A cognitive, linguistic, cultural or social process can takeplace between minds, languages, cultures and societies, but it can alsotake place within a single mind, language, culture or society.Inevitably, all these processes have to be described in very differentdescription languages (metalanguages), and it would be very difficultto create disciplinary unity in these analyses and descriptions.

What does translation process mean from the methodologicalviewpoint? As I have put it before elsewhere it is a process that takesplace within a translator’s mind, but also within language, culture, andsociety. A cognitive, linguistic, cultural or social process can takeplace between minds, languages, cultures and societies, but it can alsotake place within a single mind, language, culture or society.Inevitably, all these processes have to be described in very differentdescription languages (metalanguages), and it would be very difficultto create disciplinary unity in these analyses and descriptions.