Mapping Indirect Translation Research: A Two-Tier Meta-Analysis of Traditions, Shifts, and Uncharted Paths

Abstract

Indirect translation (ITr) has long been marginalised in Translation Studies (TS), often stigmatised as a form of “cheating” or a “necessary evil” (Pięta, Bueno Maia & Torres-Simón 2023: 205; St. André 2020: 471). Despite its negative reputation, ITr is a longstanding reality that cannot be overlooked. Recent efforts to integrate ITr research into the mainstream of TS highlight the need for a more systematic and methodologically diverse approaches. Accordingly, this thesis seeks to address the overarching question: What is the current landscape of ITr research? To answer this question, this thesis employs a dual methodological approach: a temporal-focused analysis and a topic-focused analysis. The temporal-focused approach examines the evolution of ITr research across three periods: past (1963–2016), present (2017–2022), and future (2023–2028). The topic-focused approach provides a comprehensive framework, analysing key categories, such as publication timelines, formats, (co)authorship, collaboration, themes, terminology, typologies, and methodologies. This dual approach is supported by a meta-analysis of 130 ITr studies and 49 interviews with ITr scholars, offering a nuanced understanding of the subfield’s current state and future trajectory. The findings reveal minimal evolution in ITr research from the past to the present, with more substantive anticipated in the future. A key contribution of this thesis is the development of a nonagon, a geometric figure representing the interconnectedness of ITr research. The nonagon serves as a visual representation of the synergies and patterns within ITr research, offering a novel framework for understanding its complexities. The thesis concludes with three propositions: (1) advancing ITr research requires broadening access to primary materials, including purposefully generated ITr chains; (2) ITr serves as a bridge for interdisciplinary collaboration between TS and Computer Science; and (3) the synergy between research and education can reconcile the reality of publications with scholars’ perspectives. ITr research is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, showing no signs of reaching its conclusion anytime soon. Whether celebrated or contested, ITr is here to stay.