A Prototype-theoretical Approach To The Essence Of Translation

Prototype theory (PT), a notion proposed in the mid 1970s by the American psychologist Eleanor Rosch, has now been employed to account for numerous linguistic phenomena. This thesis is intended to attempt in applying this newly established theory to translation studies, with special attention attached to the aspects of the definition of translation and the essence of translation.The whole thesis consists of six parts. To begin with, the author dedicates a brief introduction to the establishment of PT and some pioneering researches where PT is applied to translation studies. Also in this part the prospects for further research in the essence of translation are pinpointed, along with the purpose and significance of this research.Chapter Two is contributed to defining the theme of the research and reviewing preceding literature regarding the essence of translation. Shortcomings of the traditional approach to translation studies are pointed out and the advantages of the...