On the Relevance of Translation Theory

Abstract

Theories of communication, which emphasize pragmatic dimensions of language—the use of language in a particular context—guide contemporary Bible translation. For the Bible translator, at least two contexts are important—that of the original delivery of the text, and that of the contemporary reading audience. Relevance Theory (RT) holds that what we say is merely a clue to what we mean and has to be interpreted within the intended context of ideas. Thus, RT provides a principled means for evaluating the role of context in the creation and reception of meaning. This paper briefly explains the issues involved, outlines some of the key ideas of RT, and provides some examples of the way in which considerations of relevance can influence translation.