Translation in Analytic Philosophy

Francesca Ervas

2023-01-01

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Abstract

This Element aims to introduce the different definitions of translation provided in the history of analytic philosophy. Starting from the definitions of translation as paraphrase, calculus, and language games, the Element explores the main philosophical-analytic notions used to explain translation from Frege and Wittgenstein onwards. Particular attention is paid to the concept of translation equivalence in the work of Quine, Davidson, and Sellars, and to the problem of translating implicit vs. explicit meaning into another language as discussed by Grice, Kripke, and the contemporary trends in analytic philosophy of language.