Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory
Liu, Chiung-Wen and Zhang, Grace (2006) Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory, Across Languages and Cultures 7(1):49-76.
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Abstract
This paper investigates how the phenomenon of fuzzy language, such as 'many' in 'Mary has many friends', can be explained by Relevance Theory (RT, Sperber and Wilson, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, Wilson and Sperber 2002). It is concluded that the use of fuzzy language conforms with optimal relevance in that it can achieve the greatest positive effect with the least processing effort. It is the communicators themselves who decide whether or not optimal relevance is achieved, rather than the language form (fuzzy or non-fuzzy) used. People can skillfully adjust the deployment of different language forms or choose appropriate interpretations to suit different situations and their communication needs. However, there are two challenges to RT: a. to extend its theory from individual relevance to group relevance; b. to embrace cultural considerations (because when relevance principles and cultural protocols are in conflict, the latter tends to prevail).
| EPrint Type: | Journal (Paginated) |
|---|---|
| Research Centre or Department: | Department of Languages and Intercultural Education |
| Keywords: | Chinese xiehouyu, translations, translation (Chinese and English), Relevance Theory, RT, linguistics |
| Subjects: | Curtin: Divisions: Division of Humanities: Faculty of Education, Language Studies and Social Work (ELSSW): Department of Languages and Intercultural Education The Australian Standard Research Classification: 380000 Behavioural And Cognitive Sciences: 380200 Linguistics: 380207 Linguistic Structures (incl. Grammar, Phonology, Lexicon, Semantics) |
| ID Code: | 1001 |
| Deposited By: | Pass, Mr Glenn |
| Deposited On: | 05 April 2007 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://www.akademiai.com/link.asp?id=119691, http://www.akademiai.com/(of14yz55b1zojtuvhd4dw2fz)/app/home/journal.asp?referrer=parent&backto=searchpublicationsresults,1,1;, http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/Acr.7.2006.1.4 |
| Additional Information: | This article originally published as: Chiung-wen Liu and Grace Qiao Zhang, (2006)Translation of Chinese Xiehouyu (Sayings) and Relevance Theory, Across Languages and Cultures Volume 7, Number 1,pp. 49 - 76 Published by Akadémiai Kiadó Links to the websites of Akadémiai Kiadó and Across Languages and Cultures are available from the Alternative Locations field (above). If you wish to contact a Curtin researcher associated with this document, you may obtain an email address from: http://osgweb.curtin.edu.au/find/searchcurtinstaff.html |
