Metaphors of Translation

The Collins English dictionary defines a metaphor as 'a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action that it does not literally denote in order to imply a resemblance, for example, he is a lion in battle.' The origin of the word metaphor, this dictionary goes on to tell us, is in the Greek word metaphora, from metapherein, meaning 'to transfer'. Translation is, of course, a form of transfer, of one text, from one language into another language. So the ideas of metaphor and translation seem already to have an important conceptual link between them. I therefore want to think a little bit about metaphors for the act of translation itself; images which might help to shed light on the act of translating, or on the person of the translator and her role and identity.

Chesterman (2007), in an article entitled On the idea of a theory, makes the point that metaphors of translation are actually theories of translation, a theory being a useful way of seeing or viewing a phenomenon in order to better understand it and/or to see it from a particular angle which will illuminate some of the phenomenon's aspects, while, of course, leaving other aspects occluded.

Chesterman goes on to give some examples of Renaissance metaphors of translation, viz. translation opens windows to let in the light; translation is like pouring a precious liquid from one vessel into another.

I wish to suggest two further, original metaphors of translation which came to mind when I was researching translations into English of the French novels of Jules Verne for my PhD over the last few years. One I call the Tuvix metaphor of the translator's fused identity; the other, the legal metaphor of the translator as executor/executrix.

I will explain these metaphors in my next posting. For now, I want to ask readers of this blog what metaphors of translation they find useful and/or not useful.