Cover not available

In:Intralingual Translation: Beyond language and text
Edited by Hilla Karas and Hava Bat-Zeev Shyldkrot
[Benjamins Translation Library 168] 2026
► pp. 96–117

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload Book PDF
EPUB logo with download linkDownload Book EPUB
authorization required

‘Simplification’ and ‘accessibility’ in diaphasic intralingual translation

A semantic interpretation

ORCiD logo with link | Aalborg University
Published online: 20 February 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.168.05hil
Abstract
As translational phenomena, ‘simplification’ and ‘enhanced accessibility’ are phenomena that are especially associated with diaphasic, or interregisterial, intralingual translation of the expert-to-lay variety, i.e., adaptation of specialized LSP source texts for a lay target audience (henceforth Diaph-intra). Previous research into simplification and enhancement of accessibility in Diaph-intra has mostly focused on shifts at the levels of lexicogrammar (Hill-Madsen 2015a, 2015b, 2019, 2022, Muñoz-Miquel 2012, Ezpeleta Piorno 2012) and context (Hill-Madsen 2024), whereas the level of semantics has largely been bypassed. To remedy this shortcoming, this chapter offers a semantic interpretation of ‘simplification’ and ‘enhanced accessibility’ as intralingual translation strategies. Three semantic parameters are relevant to lay-oriented Diaph-intra, viz. epistemic-semantic density (concerned with the complexity of epistemic/denotational content in wordings), semantic gravity (concerned with degrees of concreteness/abstractness) and interpersonal engagement (presence/absence of interpersonal meanings). Using source-target pairs from the field of medicine, the article illustrates shifts within all three semantic dimensions.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical underpinnings: The SFL architecture of language and LCT ‘semantics’
    • 2.1SFL and the ‘architecture’ of language
    • 2.2LCT and semantics
  • 3.Semantic shifts in diaphasic intralingual translation exemplified
    • 3.1Weakening of ESD
    • 3.2Strengthening/weakening of semantic gravity
      • A.Context-dependence of linguistic utterances
      • B.Degree of iconicity
      • C.Absence/removal vs. presence/addition of sensory details in representations
      • D.Lexical metaphor
    • 3.3Strengthening of interpersonal engagement
      • Shifts in grammatical Finiteness
      • Shifts in grammatical rank (clause vs. phrase vs. word)
      • Shifts in mood type
      • Shifts in the paradigm of (subject) person
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
  • Appendix: List of example texts
References (53)
References
Albachten, Özlem B. and Pillière, Linda (eds.). 2024. The Routledge Handbook of Intralingual Translation. London: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Alexander, Olwyn. 2020. Metaphors we Learn By: Understanding the Metaphorical Nature of Teaching. EAP Essentials. [URL]. Accessed 03-07-2023.
Halliday, Michael. A. K. 1978. Language as Social Semiotic: The Social Interpretation of Language and Meaning. London: Edward Arnold.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
1989. “Functions of Language.” In Language, Context and Text: Aspects of Language in a Social-semiotic Perspective, ed. by Michael. A. K. Halliday and Ruqayia Hasan, 15–28. Oxford: Oxford University press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2003. “Systemic Grammar and the Concept of a “Science of Language”.” In On Language and Linguistics. The Collected Works of M. A. K. Halliday, vol. 3, ed. by Jonathan Webster, 199–212. London: Continuum.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2004. “Things and Relations: Regrammaticizing Experience as Technical Knowledge.” In The Language of Science. The Collected Works of M. A. K. Halliday, vol. 5, ed. by Jonathan Webster, 49–101. London: Continuum.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Halliday, Michael. A. K. and Ruqaiya Hasan. 1976. Cohesion in English. London: Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Halliday, Michael. A. K. and Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen. 1999. Construing Experience through Meaning: A Language-Based Approach to Cognition. London: Cassell.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2014. Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar. 4th edn. London/New York: Routledge. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hasan, Ruqaiya. 2013. “Choice, System, Realisation: Describing Language as Meaning Potential.” In Systemic Functional Linguistics: Exploring Choice, ed. by Lise Fontaine, Tom Bartlett and Gerard O’Grady, 269–299. Cambridge: Equinox. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hasan, Ruqaiya, Carmel Cloran, Geoffrey Williams, and Annabelle Lukin. 2007. “Semantic Networks: The Description of Linguistic Meaning in SFL.” In Continuing Discourse on Language: A Functional Perspective, edited by Ruqaiya Hasan, Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen and Jonathan Webster, 697–738. London/Oakville: Equinox.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hill-Madsen, Aage. 2015a. “Lexical Strategies in Intralingual Translation between Registers.” Hermes — Journal of Language and Communication in Business 54: 85–105. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2015b. “The ’Unpacking’ of Grammatical Metaphor as an Intralingual Translation Strategy: From De-metaphorization to Clausal Paraphrase.” In Translation and Comprehensibility, ed. by Karin Maksymski, Silke Gutermuth and Silvia Hansen-Schirra, 195–226. Berlin: Frank & Timme.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2019. “The Heterogeneity of Intralingual Translation.” Meta 64 (2): 537–60. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2022. “Transformational Strategies in Diaphasic Translation: Three Case Studies.” Perspectives — Studies in Translation Theory and Practice 30 (4): 643–61. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2024. “A Typology of the Various Aspects of Diaphasic Intralingual Translation — a Systemic-Functional Approach.” In The Routledge Handbook of Intralingual Translation, ed. by Linda Pillière, Özlem Berk Albachten. London/New York: Routledge. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2025. “Options in the Diaphasic Intralingual Translation of Multi-Word Medical Terms: Functionalist and Peircean Perspectives Combined.” Parallèles 37 (2): 54–76. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. In press. “Diaphasic intralingual translation of neoclassical compounds in the field of medicine: Micro- and macrostrategies.” Across Languages and Cultures.
Hill-Madsen, Aage, and Morten Pilegaard. 2019. “Variable Scope for Popularization of Specialized Terminology: The Case of Medico-Pharmaceutical Terms.” Fachsprache — Journal of Professional and Scientific Communication 41 (1–2): 22–40. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hood, Susan. 2020. “Live Lectures: The Significance of Presence in Building Disciplinary Knowledge.” In Accessing Academic Discourse: Systemic Functional Linguistics and Legitimation Code Theory, ed. by James R. Martin, Karl Maton and Yaegan J. Doran, 211–235. Abingdon/New York: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Law, Jonathan and Elizabeth Martin. 2020. “Metabolism.” In The Concise Oxford Medical Dictionary, 10th ed. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Lyons, John. 1977. Semantics, vol. 1. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Martin, James R. and Erika Matruglio. 2020. “Revisiting Mode: Context in/Dependency in Ancient History Classroom Discourse.” In Accessing Academic Discourse: Systemic Functional Linguistics and Legitimation Code Theory, ed. by James R. Martin, Karl Maton and Yaegan J. Doran, 89–113. London: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Maton, Karl. 2014. Knowledge and Knowers: Towards a Realist Sociology of Knowledge. London/New York: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Maton, Karl and Yaegan J. Doran. 2017. “Semantic Density: A Translation Device for Revealing Complexity of Knowledge Practices in Discourse, Part 1 — Wording.” Onomazéin — Journal of Linguistics, Philology and Translation Special issue II: 46–76. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mossop, Brian. 2016. “‘Intralingual Translation’: A Desirable Concept?” Across Languages and Cultures 17 (1): 1–24. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Muños-Miquel, Ana. 2012. “From the Original Article to the Summary for Patients: Reformulation Procedures in Intralingual Translation.” Linguistica Antverpientsia New Series — Themes in Translation Studies 11: 187–206. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Muñoz-Miquel, Ana. 2019. “Empathy, Emotions and Patient-centredness: a Case Study on Communication Strategies.” Hermes — Journal of Language and Communication in Business 59: 71–89. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
O’Donnell, Mick. 2011. “Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics for Discourse Analysis”. Course Notes: “Language, Function and Cognition”, Masters in English Applied Linguistics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Petrilli, Susan. 2003. Translation and Semiosis. Introduction. In Translation, Translation, ed. by Susan Petrilli, 17–38. Amsterdam/New York: Rodopi. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ezpeleta Piorno, Pilar. 2012. “An Example of Genre Shift in the Medicinal Product Information Genre System.” Linguistica Antverpiensia New Series — Themes in Translation Studies 11: 167–187. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Saussure, Ferdinand de. 1965. Cours de Linguistique Générale [Course in General Linguistics]. Paris: Payot.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Schjoldager, Anne, Henrik Gottlieb, and Ida Klitgaard. 2008. Understanding Translation. Aarhus: Academica.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Toury, Gideon. 1995. Descriptive Translation Studies — and Beyond. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zethsen, Karen K. 2007. “Beyond Translation Proper.” TTR: Traduction, Terminologie, Redaction 20 (1): 281–308. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
2009. “Intralingual Translation: An Attempt at Description.” Meta 54 (4): 795–812. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Zethsen, Karen K. and Aage Hill-Madsen. 2016. Intralingual Translation and its Place within Translation Studies — a Theoretical Discussion. Meta 61 (3): 692–708. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Appendix: List of example texts
Demczko, Matt. 2021a. “Fabry Disease.” In MSD Manuals, Professional version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
. 2021b. “Fabry Disease.” In MSD Manuals, Professional version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
European Medicines Agency. 2011. Gilenya : EPAR — Product Information. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
. 2021. Abiraterone Mylan : EPAR — Product Information. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Garrity, James. 2022a. “Dacryocystitis.” In MSD Manuals, Professional version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
. 2022b. “Dacryocystitis.” In MSD Manuals, Consumer version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Jackson, Whitney. 2022a. “Ischemic Cholangiopathy.” In MSD Manuals, Professional version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
. 2022b. “Ischemic Cholangiopathy.” In MSD Manuals, Consumer version, edited by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Jochumsen, Mads Ryø. 2017a. “Non-invasiv måling af tumorperfusion med 82Rb PET i prostata: anmeldelse af sundhedsvidenskabeligt forskningsprojekt [Non-invasive measurement of tumour perfusion by means of 82Rb PET in prostatas: reporting of a medical research project].” [Unpublished document].Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
. 2017b. “Non-invasiv Måling af Tumorperfusion med 82Rb PET i Prostata: Information til Kontrolpersoner om Deltagelse i Videnskabeligt Forsøg [Non-invasive measurement of tumour perfusion by means of 82Rb PET in prostatas: Reporting of a medical research project].” [Unpublished document].Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lewis, Sharon R., Macey, Richard, Stokes, Jamie, Cook, Jonathan A., Eardley, William G. P., Griffin, Xavier L. 2022. “Surgical Interventions for Treating Intracapsular Hip Fractures in Older Adults: A Network Meta-analysis.” Cochrane Library. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Lindenmeyer, Christina C. 2021a. “Cholelithiasis.” In MSD Manuals, Professional version, ed. by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
2021b. “Gallstones.” In MSD Manuals, Consumer version, ed. by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation. [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Menesini, Monica. n.d. “What Happens when Your DNA Is Damaged?” [URL]. Accessed 24-02-2025.
Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue