(In)traduisibles : la traductologie française récente face aux figements linguistiques et aux jeux de mots

Abstract

(UN)TRANSLATABLE: RECENT FRENCH TRANSLATION STUDIES ON FROZEN EXPRESSIONS AND PUNS

Frozen expressions and puns can be compared in terms of translation solutions. As plural elements and because of their idiomaticity and cultural charge, they have long been considered as « untranslatable ». However, recent translation studies have focused on these textual objects, proposing several solutions. We will draw on recent studies and some older ones to illustrate the techniques the translator can adopt. The sharing of knowledge and translation practices between different fields is always fruitful: when faced with a frozen expression or a pun, the translator often encounters the same problems, so similar solutions could be adopted. The intersection of descriptive and normative approaches helps to define translation solutions for these plural and resistant textual objects.