The Role of Critical Discourse Analysis in Translation: A Case of the Political Speech

Abstract

This study aims to provide insights into understanding the theoretical background of the application of critical discourse analysis (CDA) in the translation of political texts in the field of translation studies. The study also casts light on the investigation into the ideological and discursive issues in translation through the use of CDA as well as political discourse and translation. CDA is crucial in understanding the role and significance of discourse in the translation of a political text without disregarding the literary sense, authentic style of the speaker in the target language, and rhetorical devices. In this regard, this study considers the case of a political speech to demonstrate the role and significance of CDA in the translation of political speech. For this reason, the study has selected the case of Donald Trump’s inaugural address for translation into the target language of Turkish by the study’s author through the use of a critical lens. Following a critical approach and Norman Fairclough’s (1995) model for CDA in the interpretation and translation of political discourse, this study aims to provide explanations and solutions to the difficulties encountered in the interpretation and translation of a political speech. Therefore, the comparison of the source text with the target text offered and discussed in this study helps to underline and raise awareness about the contributions of CDA to translation studies.