Cohesion and Coherence in Technical Translation: The Case of Demonstrative Reference

Abstract

This paper examines cohesion and coherence within the larger framework of an equivalence-relevant investigation based on a theoretically well-founded translation comparison and a highly refined translation corpus. Cohesion is analysed at the textual, more specifically at the sentential/supra-sentential, level taking due account of the underlying coherence operating at the text¬in-context level. The research investigates and exemplifies the English demonstrative determiner/pronoun ‘this’ as a cohesive device of reference and its German potential equivalents, and indicates trends in translation solutions. The results of this analysis will show that coherence – established by the interaction of intended sense and informed inference – is upheld in the German TT by cohesive means which, though occasionally quite different from their ST counterparts, contribute toward achieving “equivalence in difference” (Jakobson [1959]1992) at the overall text-in-context level.