The System of Cognitive Mechanisms in Translation

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive mechanisms underlying translation activities, aiming to systematize them and deepen the understanding of intellectual processes that enable crosslinguistic communication. Using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates principles of cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics and the philosophy of language, the article expands the traditional definition of the term cognitive mechanism to include both conscious actions and automatic operations that form a dynamic information processing system. The paper focused on reinterpreting the philosophical notion of a mechanism as a system of interacting elements within the context of cognitive processes, which allowed us to identifying key structural components of translation practices. The central contribution of the study is the introduction of the concept of cognitive phases of translation: attention, perception, comprehension, interpretation, and generation, which function non-linearly in a reciprocating manner. This reflects the flexibility of the translator’s cognitive system, which must adapt to the constantly changing incoming information and context. For instance, in simultaneous interpretation, the phases of perception and comprehension merge into a single process due to time constraints, whereas in written translation, they may alternate repeatedly during text analysis. The article demonstrates that translation success is determined by the interdependence of cognitive mechanisms: a failure in one mechanism disrupts the entire system. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between internal and external factors, such as the translator’s individual cognitive sphere, cultural context, and communication conditions. These factors influence the choice of linguistic means and translation strategies, as well as language transfer. The practical significance of the research lies in the development of a universal model applicable to all types of translation and interpretation (written, consecutive, and simultaneous). The findings enhance the understanding of the translator’s intellectual activity and provide a framework for optimizing translator training by emphasizing the development of key skills. Additionally, the proposed system opens avenues for further research on the cognitive principles in translation.