Axiological Evaluation in Legal Translation: Applying the Appraisal Framework to the Arabic Translation of the US Constitution

This Chapter proposes an axiological approach to evaluation in legal translation, one that connects lexicogrammar and discourse semantics. To that end, it uses as a case study the Arabic translation of the Constitution of the United States produced by the Department of State. Drawing on the axiologically oriented appraisal framework developed by James Martin and Peter White, the Chapter examines the interpersonal functionality of the translation, with a particular focus on three systems of appraisal: attitude, engagement, and graduation. The analysis goes beyond the seemingly impersonalized façade of the legal text and shows how the translation strategically varies the terms of evaluation and constructs a network of values, such as alignment, solidarity, and constitutional patriotism. The case study argues that the appraisal framework, which combines lexicogrammar and discourse semantics, provides a wide range of conceptual tools with which to unravel the complexities of axiologically laden and rhetorically charged evaluations in legal translation. The study further suggests that the appraisal framework could contribute to raising quality standards and function as a yardstick for identifying evaluative criteria for translators, researchers, and quality controllers.