Complexity Thinking in

Translation Studies

This volume highlights a range of perspectives on the ways in which

complexity thinking might be applied in translation studies, focusing in
particular on methods to achieve this. The book introduces the topic
with a brief overview of the history and conceptualization of complexity
thinking. The volume then frames complexity theory through a variety of
lenses, including translation and society, interpreting studies, and Bible
translation, to feature case studies in which complexity thinking has
successfully been or might be applied within translation studies. Using
complexity thinking in translation studies as a jumping-off point from
which to consider the broader implications of implementing quantitative
approaches in qualitative research in the humanities, this volume is key
reading for graduate students and scholars in translation studies, cultural
studies, semiotics, and development studies.

Kobus Marais is professor of translation studies in the Department of

Linguistics and Language practice of University of the Free State. He
has published Translation theory and development studies: A complexity
theory approach (2014), A (bio)semiotic theory of translation: The
emergence of social-cultural reality (2018), and Translation studies
beyond the postcolony (2017; coedited with Ilse Feinauer).

Reine Meylaerts is full professor of comparative literature and translation

studies at KU Leuven. Currently she is vice-rector of research policy
(2017–2021). She was director of CETRA from 2006–2014 and is now
board member. She is the author of numerous articles and chapters on
these topics. (https://lirias.kuleuven.be/items-by-author?author=Meylaer
ts%2C+Reinhilde%3B+U0031976)
Routledge Advances in Translation and
Interpreting Studies

Translation and Emotion

A Psychological Perspective
Séverine Hubscher-Davidson

Linguistic and Cultural Representation in Audiovisual Translation

Edited by Irene Ranzato and Serenella Zanotti

Jin Ping Mei English Translations

Texts, Paratexts, and Contexts
Lintao Qi

Untranslatability
Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Edited by Duncan Large, Motoko Akashi, Wanda Józwikowska and
Emily Rose

Perspectives on Retranslation
Ideology, Paratexts, Methods
Edited by Özlem Berk Albachten and Şehnaz Tahir Gürçağlar

A (Bio)Semiotic Theory of Translation

The Emergence of Social-Cultural Reality
Kobus Marais

A Sociological Approach to Poetry Translation

Modern European Poet-Translators
Jacob S. D. Blakesley

Complexity Thinking in Translation Studies

Methodological Considerations
Edited by Kobus Marais and Reine Meylaerts

For a full list of titles in this series, visit www.routledge.com/Routledge-

Advances-in-Translation-and-Interpreting-Studies/book-series/RTS
Complexity Thinking in
Translation Studies
Methodological Considerations

Edited by
Kobus Marais and Reine Meylaerts
First published 2019
by Routledge
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ISBN: 978-1-138-57248-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-70201-7 (ebk)
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Contents

1 Introduction 1
K O B U S M A R AIS A N D RE IN E ME YL AE RTS

2 Intersemiotic Translation as an Abductive

Cognitive Artifact 19
J O Ã O Q U E I R O Z AN D P E DRO ATÃ

3 Resonances Between Social Narrative Theory and

Complexity Theory: A Potentially Rich Methodology
for Translation Studies 33
S U E - A N N H ARDIN G

4 “Effects Causing Effects”: Considering Constraints

in Translation 53
K O B U S M A R AIS

5 On the Multidimensional Interpreter and a Theory

of Possibility: Towards the Implementation of a
Complex Methodology in Interpreter Training 73
M A N U E L D E L A CRUZ RE CIO

6 Exploring the Social Complexity of Translation with

Assemblage Thinking 104
E M M A S E D DO N

7 Translator Networks of Networks in Digital Space:

The Case of Asymptote Journal 128
R A L U C A TA NASE SCU A N D CH RIS TAN A SE SCU (MAR GENT O)

8 A Complex and Transdisciplinary Approach to Slow

Collaborative Activist Translation 152
R A Ú L E R N E S TO CO L Ó N RO DRÍGUE Z
vi Contents
9 Sacred Writings and Their Translations as Complex
Phenomena: The Book of Ben Sira in the Septuagint
as a Case in Point 180
J A C O B U S A . N A UDÉ A N D CYN TH IA L . MIL L ER -NAU DÉ

10 The Complexity of Iran’s Literary Polysystem:

An Interdisciplinary Study 216
N A S R I N A S H RA FI

11 Translation as Organized Complexity: Implications

for Translation Theory 238
M A R I A TY M OCZKO

12 Knowledge Translation and the Continuum of Science 259

C A R O L I N E MA N GE RE L

Contributors 285
Index 288