Commentary on Nida vs. Chomsky's Translation Theories

Abstract

The paper intends to extrapolate the new perspective of “science” of translation as well as distinguish the differences and similarities in translation theories between Nida and Chomsky. However, the ultimate initiation zooms in the interpretations and understanding of the translation theories between the two. Both Chomsky and Nida made metaphysical claims about the object of investigation. Nida tends to reveals theoretical priorities, Chomsky’s theory is similarly constructed, making the “logic” of the models similar. Nida’s and Chomsky’s theories are self-reflective, but Chomsky’s universal forms exist at a much deeper, abstract level than Nida’s kernels.