Explicitation: A Translation Technique

MARIA-TEODORA CREANGĂ
Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu

Abstract
This article may be regarded as an attempt to integrate the issue of translating presuppositions as a type of meaning at the borderline between semantics and pragmatics with the acquisition of translation techniques in general and of explicitation in particular. As in the case of other terms in translation theory such as “translation loss” and “translation gain” for example, the literature on the issue of translation techniques reflects a lack of agreement on terminology. As regards explicitation as a central technique in translating presuppositions, the contrast expressed in terms of “optional explicitation” and “obligatory explicitation” by certain researchers and practitioners in the field turns out to be a theoretical construct. On a more practical level, the adequate use of various translation techniques is a landmark of professional translator behaviour, which any translation teaching context is expected to encourage.

Keywords: Translation techniques and strategies, pragmatic/ semantic translation, presupposition, compensation, optional explicitation, obligatory explicitation, professional translator behaviour

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