Reviewed by Taras Shmiher, Ivan Franko National University, L’viv, Ukraine

The metalanguage of translation contains some materials republished from the international journal Target (2007, volume 19) in hopes of expanding the scope of readership for salient topics. This volume includes eleven papers on metalinguistic topics covering terminology, bibliography, epistemology, and localization.

The first article, ‘How about meta?: An introduction’ (1–7) by the editors, initiates the discussion on the interconnection between translations and our knowledge about translations (1). Gernot Hebenstreit analyzes classical papers to demonstrate the applicability of definition theory to translation terminology in ‘Defining patterns in translation studies: Revisiting two classics of German Translationswissenschaft’ (9–25).

‘Risking conceptual maps: Mapping as a keywords-related tool underlying the online Translation Studies Bibliography’ (27–43) by Luc van Doorslaer focuses on compiling bibliographies on translation studies that may systematize and structure a wide range of concepts, standards, and values. The author demonstrates how the mapping principle is used for an online project and what challenges this mapping faces. Continuing in this line of lexicographic narration, Leona Van Vaerenbergh examines existing dictionaries and encyclopedias on translation in ‘Polysemy and synonymy: Their management in Translation Studies dictionaries and in translator training. A case study’ (45–63).

Josep Marco argues that the epistemological, conceptual, and intercultural problems in translation terminology are inextricably linked in ‘The terminology of translation: Epistemological, conceptual and intercultural problems and their social consequences’ (65–79). ‘Natural and directional equivalence in theories of translation’ by Anthony Pym (81–103) discusses the concept of equivalence, revealing the co-existence of two competing conceptualizations of this term. Leena Laiho studies the translatability of a literary work in ‘A literary work—Translation and original: A conceptual analysis within the philosophy of art and Translation Studies’ (105–21), framing the discussion in the theoretical context of analytic philosophy and translation studies.

Mary Snell-Hornby focuses on the concept of terminology in ‘‘What’s in a name?’: On metalinguistic confusion in Translation Studies’ (123–33) by studying the ways in which a new term may be introduced. Nike K. Pokorn elucidates the pitfalls in defining such distinct and clarified concepts as ‘native speaker’ and ‘mother tongue’ in ‘In defence of fuzziness’ (135–43). Iwona Mazur continues the examination of terminology in her article, ‘The metalanguage of localization: Theory and practice’ (145–65).

‘The metalanguage of translation: A Chinese perspective’ (167–81) by Jun Tang provides a brief account of its development throughout history and discusses the recent domestic anxiety concerning the uncritical acceptance of Western academic discourse in China.

The final article, ‘Translation terminology and its offshoots’ (183–89) by Yves Gambier, analyzes the history and principles of compiling Translation terminology (Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1999). This volume also contains a subject index to help direct the reader.

The publishers were absolutely right to republish these precious articles for a wider distribution. Altogether, this volume presents the significance of translation studies as a discipline and demonstrates the need for additional study in this area.