Straddling the divide between contrastive and translation studies

This paper delves into the intersection of contrastive and translation studies, highlighting their shared methodologies and epistemological challenges. Despite historical and conceptual differences, both fields have converged in recent decades, propelled by shifts in linguistic paradigms and the emergence of corpus linguistics. Drawing on parallel and comparable corpora, scholars have examined translation-mediated correspondences and shifts, shedding light on cross-linguistic similarities and differences. The paper showcases a selection of contributions from the Using Corpora in Contrastive and Translation Studies 6 (UCCTS6) conference, illustrating the diverse applications of quantitative methods and theoretical models. Through meticulous analysis of lexical, syntactic, and discursive features in various language pairs, scholars uncover nuanced patterns in translation choices and language representation. From investigating demonstratives in Czech and English to probing the expression of anger in German and Spanish, each study offers valuable insights into the intricacies of language transfer and cultural mediation. Statistical techniques such as Hierarchical Configural Frequency Analysis and conditional inference trees are employed to disentangle complex linguistic phenomena, revealing the influence of genre and individual translator styles. As technology transforms the landscape of translation and text creation, the boundaries between contrastive and translation studies blur, prompting scholars to rethink traditional research paradigms. The paper concludes by advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to navigate the evolving terrain of multilingual communication and linguistic diversity.