Gutt Ernst-August. Translation and Relevance

Cognition and Context. Second edition. — Abingdon: Routledge, 2010. — xii + 271 p. — ISBN: 978-1-900650-22-9From the outset, this book has evoked strong responses. Its central claim is that given a comprehensive theory of inferential communication, there is no need for a special theory of translation. This has been praised by some as "wise and right" (Dell Hymes) and condemned by others as "astonishing, not to say perverse" (Kirsten Malmkjaer).
Gutt's call to move from semiotics to an inferential paradigm of communication remains a challenge for many. The debate continues and so does the demand for the book, resulting in this second edition. There is a 'Postscript' entitled 'A decade later', where the author addresses peer criticism, especially from those involved in the movement of 'translation studies', and attempts to bring out more clearly the unique mandate of translation. New perspectives, such as authenticity, are also introduced. Marginal notes, some tongue-in-cheek, liven up the discussion and new references ensure its currency.The State of the Art - Some Critical Observations
A New Initiative
Reservations
The risk of (multidisciplinary) disintegration
The problem of determining the domain of the theory
The problem of evaluation and decision-making
Non-theoretical approaches
Equivalence
A Problem of Scientific Method (Research Programme)
Changes in Scientific Method
A shift in the domain of the theory
A shift from description to explanation
Translation as communication?
A Relevance-Theoretic Approach
The Inferential Nature of Communication
Semantic Representations
Context and the Principle of Relevance
Descriptive and Interpretive Use
Interpretive resemblance between propositional forms
Interpretive resemblance between thoughts and utterances
Interpretive resemblance between utterances
Covert Translation
The Notion of 'Covert Translation'
Translation - When all is Change?
Descriptive Use in Interlingual Communication
Translating the Meaning of the Original
Conveying the 'Message' of the Original
The Problem of Secondary Communication Situations
Secondary communication problems and 'dynamic equivalence'
Secondary communication problems and idiomatic translation
Translating the Same 'Message' by Interpretive Use?
Translation as Interlingual Interpretive UseFaithfulness in Interlingual Interpretive Use
The Origin of Translation PrinciplesTranslating what was Expressed
Style - The Importance ofthe Way Thoughts are Expressed
Direct Quotation, Communicative Clues, and Direct Translation
Communicative Clues Arising from Semantic Representations
Communicative Clues Arising from Syntactic Properties
Communicative Clues Arising from Phonetic Properties
Communicative Clues Arising from Semantic Constraints on Relevance
Communicative Clues Arising from Formulaic Expressions
Onomatopoeia and Communicative Clues
Communicative Clues and the Stylistic Value of Words
Communicative Clues Arising from Sound-Based Poetic PropertiesA Unified Account of Translation
Direct Translation - A Special Case of Interpretive Use
On the Use ofthe Original Context
Partial Resemblance in Linguistic Properties as Translation?
Translation, Relevance and Successful Communication
Risks of failure in translation
Making intentions and expectations meetPostscript
A Decade Later
The Research Programme Shift (Paradigm Shift)
The input-output research programme
The competence-oriented research programme
Small wonder different evaluations
The same in the end?
The Unique Mandate of Translation
Equivalence of message or function is not enough
Translation as interlingual quotation
Some Important Consequences ofa Quotation-Based Concept of Translation
Translation is an act of communication rather than a text genre
An aside on intentions
Translation is Communication between Translator and Target Audience
Translation cannot be Covert
The production of 'covert translations' involves translation but...
Does it matter?
Manuals, tourist brochures, advertisements can be objects of translation proper
Translations can be Interpreted 'incognito' but...
Translation Proper does not Depend on the Existence of a Concept of 'translation' in the Target Culture
The Perspective of Translation Practice
Toward a deeper understanding of 'meaning'
Applying the rules
Promises and Perils of Translation
Interpretation with a unique claim of authenticity
An authentic experience as well as an authentic message
Translation (alone) cannot necessarily guarantee successful communication
The subtle complexity ofthe translator's task
A Word on Cultural Translation StudiesGeneral References in Postscript
Reviews and Literature with Comments on Gutt 1991