Speaker: Sui He, University of Edinburgh
Title: Cognitive Metaphor Theories in Translation Studies:
Towards a dual-model parametric approach
Date: November 25, 2020
Time: 4-5 pm
Venue: on Collaborate Learn (through TS Bulletin Board) OR Guest Link: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/1acc14d940cf425a829de699ac77582f
Abstract:
Cognitive metaphor theory provides a systematic framework to better understand the working mechanism of metaphor. Its recent development further allows translation researchers to have a clearer insight into the movement of metaphor across languages and culture. Building on an empirical study, this paper examines the complementary relationship between two prominent cognitive metaphor theories – Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) and Conceptual Blending Theory (CBT), and discusses the practical contribution that this relationship could make to the existing research on metaphor translation. To construct a comparable basis for CMT and CBT, two parameters (projection and provenance) are adopted for data analysis. Metaphorical expressions analysed in this paper are sourced from cosmology-themed articles published in Scientific American in 2017 and their Simplified
Chinese translations published in Huanqiukexue. Findings show that delineated by the two parameters, CMT and CBT indeed share a complementary relationship owing to their different focuses and organising mechanisms. Furthermore, the collaboration between CMT and CBT offers a well-rounded analytical framework for translation studies. In turn, the correlation between metaphor parameters and translation solutions provides detailed clues for studying metaphor across culture.
Keywords:
metaphor in translation, parametric analysis, descriptive translation studies.
Bio note:
Ms Sui He is a teaching fellow in Translation Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Her research interest mainly lies in metaphor translation and the application of metaphor in intercultural communication.