Translating Translation: Deconstructionist Approach Towards Translation

Abstract

This study contends for the development of the deconstructionist approach towards
translation studies, grounded primarily in the contributions of Jacques Derrida. In order to
achieve this goal, this paper first tries to problematize the notions underlying the traditional
translation theory; namely, the idea of the semiotic transfer of meaning, the supremacy of the
source over the target text, and the author over the translator, which are so
often taken for granted. It then goes on to draw on Derrida’s idea of indeterminacy of text
meaning, and his neologisms, différance, iterability, and the limit as a way to open up new
perspectives in translation studies. In the end, this paper concludes with the discussion that by
challenging the traditional translation theory and incorporating the deconstructionist
perspectives towards translation, the status of both the translation and translator will surpass
the original text and the author which will lead to breathing a new life into the dead theories of
translation studies and providing the chance to look at translation studies from a different prism.