Indirect Translation: A Semiotic Perspective

Abstract Grounded on the historical development of indirect translation mainly in China, a critical analysis of the definitions previously given for indirect translation has been made in terms of its nature, features, referential range, and classification, as well as the sign typology involved hereby. This results in a new definition of indirect translation as a process and as an end product respectively, highlighting its referential range, including relay translation, (tech- or human-based) mediated translation, adaptation, and free translation. The definition further divides it into seven types of operational mechanism (conventional single-sourced indirect translation, conventional double-sourced indirect translation, single-sourced relay translation, multi-sourced relay translation, interpreter-based relay translation, indirect translation in reverse translation, single-sourced multi-layered relay translation) and seven types of indirect sign transformation, namely: (1) T→T indirect translation; (2) T→I indirect translation; (3) I→T indirect translation; (4) T+I→T indirect translation; (5) T+I→I indirect translation; (6) T→T+I indirect translation; and (7) I→T+I indirect translation. Finally, the operational mechanism of indirect translation is explored on the macro level of Peirce’s Firstness–Secondness–Thirdness, on the meso level of Peirce’s First–Second–Third, and on the micro level of Peirce’s Sign–Object– Interpretant.