International Journal of Language & Literature

The Socio-Semiotic Theory of Language and Translation: An overview
Mohammad Issa Mehawesh

Abstract
The paper intends to explore and discuss the necessity for a sociosemiotic approach in the translation. The theoretical basis for this approach is Halliday's sociosemiotic theory of language in which he stresses the unity of the text (language), context (linguistic or non-linguistic), social structure, and in which he sees language as a unique system of signs with a social function, capable of expressing the meanings which all other sign systems can make (Halliday, 1978). We will, in short, be attempting to cast some light on the relationship between translation and semiotics. The relevance of the sociosemiotic approach to the translation is that it helps the translator to better understand the meanings (associative and designative2) of words, sentences, and the fact that everything about the message has a meaning.

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