Publication Details
Abstract
The classic view of heritage translation is a linguistic action related to the transfer of meanings across languages. However, legacy communication today takes place increasingly in complex institutional, ideological and intercultural settings which go beyond the explanatory power of language transfer models. This conceptual study advocates a theoretical reorientation of heritage translation from a language-centred paradigm to a discourse-constructive perspective. Based on social constructivism, translation sociology and discourse analysis, the study offers a paradigm conceptualising legacy translation as a socially situated practice of knowledge, cultural representation and civilisational identity construction. After the analytical procession of "what it is, what it does and why the turn is necessary", the study first establishes the discursive character of heritage translation and then analyses its functions in heritage knowledge production, cultural representation and civilisational mutual learning. Finally, it explains why discourse creation is a better theoretical tool than traditional equivalence-based techniques. The paper contributes to the emerging interdisciplinary discussion between translation studies and legacy studies by asserting translated heritage texts as artefacts of institutional discourse creation. The paper ends with a proposed three-level analytical framework of textual, institutional and civilisational characteristics for future research on legacy translation.