We, the lackeys of denotation: philosophical translation in its confrontation with the “poetic” mirror.

Abstract

This article begins with an analysis of philosophy in its relation with its textual production and, especially, with the translation of philosophical texts. Following a tradition based on the valorization of meaning over text, philosophy assumes the use of language and languages through a priority determination of denotation. In terms of translation, this is reflected in the lack of attention or even disregard that philosophy translators often have for the connotative elements of the text, that is, the poetic and literary elements. The article argues that these elements make up the text as much as the conceptual aspects and should be considered in translation as a mirror of poetic translation.