TY - JOUR ID - 140394 TI - Recategorizing Walter Benjamin as Non-deconstructivist: A Comparison of Aspects of Jacques Derrida’s and Benjamin’s Views on Translation JO - International Journal of Language and Translation Research JA - IJLTR LA - en SN - 2750-0594 AU - Woesler, Martin AU - Chen, Yang AD - Foreign Studies College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China Y1 - 2022 PY - 2022 VL - 1 IS - 4 SP - 1 EP - 13 KW - Benjamin KW - Derrida KW - translation KW - Deconstructivism KW - pure language KW - la différence DO - 10.22034/978389966744_001 N2 - According to traditional Western views on translation, conveying the meaning is the first aim. In Benjamin’s eyes, this is an acceptance of the “non-identity of languages”, harming linguistic development. With his understanding, Benjamin challenged ideas viewing language as a tool. For this challenge, he has been regarded by many scholars as a forerunner, re­bel­ling against Western logocentrism. He also contributed to the de­velop­ment of translation studies, e.g., with his concept of a “pure language”. Another dominant figure of deconstructivism is Derrida, who also chal­lenged logocentrism. He has created many concepts like “la difference”, dis­semination, trance etc., which serve not only linguistics and philoso­phy, but also translation studies. In the history of Western translation, Benjamin has often been classified as a member of deconstructivism, even being compared with Derrida in re­gard to their deconstructive architectural concept of “absence” (Mac­Ar­thur 1993). However, Benjamin’s understanding of translation differs from Derrida’s. This paper compares their comprehension of translation main­ly regarding the aspects of “pure language” and “la différence”, me­ta­phrase and relevant translations, “afterlife” and “rebirth” of the original. Their attitudes towards the five dimensions original work, author, trans­la­tor, translation work and translation criterion respectively are explored. It is concluded that Benjamin does not belong to deconstructivism. UR - https://www.ijltr.org/article_140394.html L1 - https://www.ijltr.org/article_140394_e5708394caa62f138b8e5bdc3ef5b86f.pdf ER -