Full citation – Référence complète:
Sirakova, Y. “Body and soul, letter and sense: Plato’s receptions in translation theory”. Živa Antika / Antiquité Vivante 75.1-2 (2025), pp. 153–168.

DOI: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Download this article – Téléchargez cet article

Abstract. – This article delves into the concept of translation through a Platonic lens, focusing on the dichotomy between the copy and the original, as well as the relationship between the letter and the sense in translation. The primary objective of this text is to provide a concise overview of applications of Plato’s metaphysics in the field of translation theory. It is important to note that many of these applications have been subject to substantial revision and criticism over time. Drawing on the work of theorists, the text discusses how Platonic ideas shape understandings of translation, particularly in the context of the sensual versus the rational, and the signifier versus the signified. Through this exploration, we revisit the old debate about meaning and translation, but we also reveal how Platonic thought provides a framework for understanding translation as a complex, dualistic process that involves both the preservation and transformation of meaning. The analysis of translation as a ‘copy of a copy’ further interrogates the nature of fidelity and originality in translated texts, challenging notions of translation as mere imitation and reflecting deeper philosophical questions about authenticity and representation. Plato’s metaphysics prompts a re-evaluation of translation theory, moving beyond issues such as equivalence and linguistic transformations. It invites a philosophical inquiry into the nature of translation, emphasizing the creation of new, independent aesthetic objects rather than mere reproductions of original texts. This perspective challenges conventional notions and highlights the complex interplay between meaning, language, and translation.
Key words. – classical receptions, Plato, translation theory