In search of certainty of meaning: Issues in translation
Date of Publication
2023
Document Type
Bachelor's Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy
Subject Categories
Philosophy
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Philosophy
Thesis Advisor
Mark Anthony L. Dacela
Defense Panel Member
Robert James M. Boyles
Napoleon M. Mabaquiao, Jr.
Elenita D. Garcia
Abstract/Summary
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether we can be certain of the meaning produced by translation, despite the theory of indeterminacy of translation that claims there is no determinate way to verify the "fact-of-the-matter" of translation. Two issues are addressed in this paper, the relationship between determinacy and certainty in translation, and whether we can be certain of the meaning of translation read or spoken to us. I believe that indeterminacy and certainty are linked because indeterminacy of translation addresses the sense and reference of translation; and if the theory is correct, then we cannot know anything about our language and meaning, and thus our reality, leading to skepticism. To combat skepticism, especially radical skepticism, we need certainty about the meaning of the translated sentence read or spoken to us. My contention is that we can be certain of the meaning of a translated sentence read or spoken to us, this is because certainty has two senses, subjective certainty and epistemic certainty and being certain on the translation requires both senses. Following that, both senses of certainty is a norm of assertion that requires us to assert only if we are subjective and/or epistemically certain.
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Contextualism (Philosophy); Translating and interpreting
Recommended Citation
Rollorata, A. G. (2023). In search of certainty of meaning: Issues in translation. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_philo/42
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Embargo Period
4-27-2023
