Translators as Language Users, during and away from Translation

This paper provides a new outlook on the relationship between linguistics and translation studies, by focusing on the points in common between linguistic approaches to bilingualism and the study of translators as a unique type of bilingual language users. Following a historical overview of the influence of linguistic theories on translation studies, a more cognitive focus is adopted. Studies on the linguistic behaviour of translators in translation-related tasks are contrasted to those with tasks involving independent language production and tapping into linguistic competence, in native as well as non-native languages. Translation expertise and the role of metalinguistic knowledge are also briefly considered. The paper closes with a reiteration of the call to ease the disciplinary boundaries and work together.