Toward a so-called narrow redefinition of translation in Translation Studies

With this paper, I aim to show that the central concept of Translation Studies (TS), i.e., “translation”, should be (re)defined “narrowly” as “the process or result of transferring a text interlinguistically”. First, I examine three noteworthy conceptualizations of translation found in TS literature (i.e., Jakobson’s, Toury’s, and Meylaerts & Marais’s). Second, I problematize the notion of “intrasemiotic translation” together with other relevant concepts and thereby highlight terminological as well as conceptual issues surrounding the idea of “translation” in TS. Third, invoking various arguments, I build a case for a so-called narrow and a priori definition of “translation”. Fourth, I give an example of such a definition and further develop my position. Fifth, broadening the scope of the study, I propose that we should keep looking for an overarching concept and discipline that would encompass “translation” as well as other similar objects and phenomena. Last, before wrapping up with concluding remarks, I indicate possible avenues to explore in future studies.