Paul Ricoeur and the hermeneutics of translation

Abstract

This essay looks at how Ricoeur's hermeneutics functions as both philosophy of translation and philosophy as translation. It starts with a overview of Ricoeur's theories in the light of the history of the philosophy of translation and shows how he, following in the footsteps of Gadamer, understands the act of translation as an art of negotiating and mediating between Self and Other. It then goes on to explore the hermeneutic model of translation, advanced in Ricoeur's later work, in terms of three main paradigms: linguistic, ontological and ethical. Th e essay concludes with a discussion of the crucial role played by translation in hospitality, pluralism and pardon. © 2007 Koninklijke Brill NV.