Revisiting the nature and function of transliteration through a semiotic lens, exemplified by the English translations of Shan Hai Jing

Abstract As a common translation practice, transliteration has been a constant topic in translation studies. In contrast to related fruitful practice, there is a lack of interest in it at the theoretical level. Most studies take transliteration as a ruled-based sound transferring process, neglecting its complexity and multi-functions. This paper affords a Peircean semiotic analysis of the inner workings of transliteration as a sign activity. It proposes treating transliteration as a multidimensional semiosis, whose efficacy in cross-cultural communication lies in the interdependency of three semiotic properties, namely, iconicity, indexicality, and symbolicity. With a case study of cultural word transliterations in the Chinese classic Shan Hai Jing, this study further exemplifies the linguistic, cognitive, and cultural functions of transliteration derived from the abovementioned properties. I propose a three-dimensional working mechanism of transliteration dominated by the axes of sign transformation, sign interpretation, and sign interaction. The aim is to bring forward an innovative perspective in transliteration studies, thus providing reference to future practice.