What is it about?
The present study offers a view of translational creativity based on the dynamic construal of meaning and the classification of construal operations as presented by Croft and Cruse (2004). It demonstrates how this approach helps better describe “creativity shifts” without excluding any equally important construal processes. This study explores creativity in Translation Studies. It examines existing models, explains the dynamic construal of meaning in relation to translation, then uses advertising slogans to demonstrate how creativity can be analyzed in Arabic translations.
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Why is it important?
Translational creativity might be too elusive to pin down. However, viewing it through the lens of dynamic construal of meaning and construal operations fits it within a comprehensive cognitive framework that views meaning as a conceptualization that shifts with the shifting of its contextualized interpretation, and that transforms with the change of participants, constraints and contexts. When we understand the process of translation as a complex mental process where people's individual understanding, language, and cultural background all influence how they interpret and convey meaning, it liberates translators from rigid, traditional limitations on what translation can be. Perceiving translation shifts as a natural consequence of construal operations that function as a part of a dynamic construal of meaning recreates the concept of shifts in translation and helps breathe new life into an age-old translation phenomenon.
Perspectives
Viewing translation through the lens of Cognitive Linguisitcs has always been a passion for me. It gives translation a new aura. A deeper understanding of the cognitive aspects of translation in general and translational creativity in particular can enhance the translator's professional image and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the translation process, especially in a field that is under the looming shadow of Artificial Intelligence, threatening to replace human creativity.
Radwa Kotait
Ain Shams University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Creativity translational shifts as dynamic construals of meaning, Cognitive Linguistic Studies, September 2026, John Benjamins,
DOI: 10.1075/cogls.24030.kot.
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