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영어

The aim of this study is to investigate metaphors employed by traslation theorists to discuss translation, by drawing on the theoretical building blocks of conceptual metaphors advocated by Lakoff & Johnson (1980). Lakoff & Johnson argue that metaphors are mental mechanisms through which our physical and social experiences provide understanding of other subjects. The current study has come up with 8 prominent metaphors utilized by translation theorists throughout history. They are TRANSLATION IS MOVING SOMETHING, TRANSLATION IS CLOTHING & PAINTING, TRANSLATION IS A CONQUEST, DETHRONING OF THE SOURCE TEXT, TRANSLATION IS A LIVING THING, TRANSLATION IS A WOMAN, and TRANSLATION IS CROSS-FERTILIZATION. These different metaphors allow us to gain a better insight and understanding of what we call translation. At the same time, the evolution of these translation metaphors illustrates the trajectory of dominant issues and concerns discussed in the research of translation. This study concludes with the speculation that the advancement of technology and globalization in the practice of translation might bring forth fresh metaphors for translation in the future.