Trans-lingual : a study of bilingualism with special reference to translation

The thesis attempts at connecting two areas, namely bilingualism and translation. Both areas are involved with the process of language transfer between LI and L2 or SL and TL. The present research seeks to focus on the interplay between both ends of the continuum. It will be argued that the trans-lingual experience involves not only linguistic transfer but also cultural transfer, which appears a paramount dimension in both areas. Bilingualism has long been denigrated and was thought to have negative effects upon intelligence. Similarly, translation was relegated to the role of secondary activity. Starting from the 1960's, bilingualism has been found to hold positive effects upon creative thinking and translation has been considered a form of creative rewriting. Both areas have travelled from a peripheral position to a central one, which addresses the role of attitude and questions the notion of norm. The difficulty of adhering to a single definition of bilingualism and of describing the translating process stresses the problem of approach, and therefore suggests an interdisciplinary methodology. Societal bilingualism is presented, though the main interest of the thesis lies in the characterisation of individual bilingualism in its various forms. The case of the bilingual author and self/translator American Francophile, Julien Green, serves an example. Features of bilingual speech are presented and some of the functions of code switching are examined, showing that such bilingual linguistic forms carry elements of biculturalism, and above all, creative interaction