From Standardization to Abstractionalization of Language: Problems Arising in Translating Realistic Metaphysics Texts

Abstract

In the process of translation of philosophical texts, especially those concerning realistic metaphysics, a complication arises, which ultimately determines the meaning of words and whole sentences. This gives rise to the problem-related triad, namely: standardization of vocabulary, abstractionalization of terms, and fragmentation of the functions of language. Standardization of language manifests itself in the fact that, instead of rich and diverse synonyms a single term appears, with which diverse processes and actions are named. Abstractionalization of language, in turn, is that language arrests our cognitive attention at terms and concepts, and compels us to analyze them. Fragmentation of the language functions consists in the breaking up of their threefold unity: semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic, and focusing instead on a single one of them: either semantic (concerning sense), or syntactic (concerning structure), or pragmatic (concerning usefulness).

This triad is directly linked to the processes of translation of original metaphysical texts into foreign languages, and the resulting issues are discussed in this article. Of course, this triad represents current language trends encountered in various areas. However, in the field of translating the language of realistic philosophy, i.e. metaphysics that has real things as its object, the cognitive “seeing” of that object should be guided by language.