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INTERSEMIOTIC TRANSLATION: TRANSLATING
TECHNICAL CONTENT INTO VISUAL FORMATS
G‘afurova Nazokat Bakhriddin’s daughter
student of Tashkent State of transport university
Annotation:
This article explores the concept and practice of intersemiotic
translation—the transformation of verbal technical content into visual formats such as
diagrams, charts, symbols, and pictograms. Drawing on Jakobson's theory of semiotic
translation and recent multimodal discourse studies, the paper investigates how
scientific and technical texts can be effectively restructured for non-verbal
communication. Practical examples from technical manuals, safety instructions, and
scientific infographics are analyzed to identify the strengths, limitations, and necessary
strategies in visualizing technical meaning.
Keywords:
intersemiotic translation, visual communication, diagrams,
semiotics, multimodal discourse, technical language
Annotatsiya:
Ushbu maqola intersemiotik tarjima tushunchasini va texnik
matnlarni vizual formatlarga — chizmalar, grafiklar, piktogrammalar va belgilar
shaklida ifodalash amaliyotini tahlil qiladi. Yakobsonning belgi tizimlari nazariyasi va
multimodal diskurs tahlili asosida texnik va ilmiy matnlarni notil shaklida qanday
samarali tarjima qilish mumkinligi o‘rganiladi. Texnik qo‘llanmalar, xavfsizlik
bo‘yicha yo‘riqnomalar va ilmiy infografikalardan olingan misollar yordamida
intersemiotik tarjimaning afzalliklari, cheklovlari va vizualizatsiya strategiyalari
yoritiladi.
Kalit so‘zlar:
intersemiotik tarjima, vizual kommunikatsiya, diagramma,
semiotika, multimodal diskurs, texnik til
Аннотация:
В статье рассматривается понятие интерсемиотического
перевода, а именно — преобразование технического текста в визуальные
форматы: диаграммы, схемы, пиктограммы и символы. Основываясь на теории
Якубсона о семиотическом переводе и подходах к мультимодальному дискурсу,
анализируются способы передачи научной и технической информации в
невербальной форме. На основе примеров из технических инструкций и
инфографики исследуются преимущества и ограничения визуального перевода.
Ключевые
слова:
интерсемиотический
перевод,
визуальная
коммуникация, диаграммы, семиотика, мультимодальный дискурс, технический
язык
In a world increasingly dominated by visual media, the traditional boundaries of
translation are being reshaped.
Intersemiotic translation
, first conceptualized by
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Roman Jakobson, refers to the translation of verbal signs into non-verbal sign systems
(e.g., images, symbols, graphs) [1, p. 233]. This form of translation is particularly
relevant in technical communication, where clarity, accessibility, and brevity are often
paramount.
From
airplane safety cards
to
scientific infographics
, the ability to convey
complex technical ideas through visual elements has become essential. The question is
not only how to translate words between languages, but how to
translate meaning
between modalities
.
Theoretical Framework
Jakobson (1959) categorized translation into three types:
Intralingual
(within one language),
Interlingual
(between languages),
Intersemiotic
(between sign systems) [1, p. 233].
Intersemiotic translation involves the interpretation of verbal text into visual or
symbolic representation. Multimodal discourse theorists such as Kress & van Leeuwen
emphasize that meaning is constructed not just through language but through various
semiotic resources—color, shape, space, layout, etc. [2, p. 2].
This perspective provides the foundation for understanding
technical
visualizations
as translations of complex verbal content.
Applications in Technical Communication
Safety Instructions
Verbal: “In case of fire, do not use the elevator.”
Visual: → Universally understood symbol that removes language dependency.
Scientific Infographics
A complex explanation of
carbon cycle
can be visualized in a circular diagram
showing:
CO₂ emission sources,
absorption by oceans and plants,
human impact.
Such visuals help overcome language barriers and cognitive overload.
User Manuals
Instead of multi-language text:
“Insert battery with the + end facing up,”
a diagram showing the correct battery orientation is more effective and clearer.
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Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
Limitations
No need for linguistic knowledge
May oversimplify complex ideas
Universality — effective across
cultures
Misinterpretation due to cultural variation in symbols
Speed — quicker understanding
Some abstract concepts are difficult to visualize
Aids low-literacy audiences
Requires design literacy to create accurate
representations
Visual translation promotes
accessibility and inclusivity
, especially in cross-
cultural or multilingual contexts, but requires
semiotic competence
.
Translation Strategies
Simplification and Segmentation
Break down dense text into
visual sequences
(step-by-step diagrams).
Symbol Standardization
Use globally recognized symbols (ISO, ANSI) to avoid ambiguity.
Visual Grammar Application
Apply principles of
visual hierarchy, proximity, and contrast
to guide
comprehension [3, p. 41].
Case Analysis
Example: Airplane Safety Card
Original (text): “Place oxygen mask over your nose and mouth before assisting
others.”
Intersemiotic Version:
Icon of a person placing a mask over face
Arrow indicating sequence
Child figure shown after adult
→ Conveys procedural logic without any text.
This transformation is
not a simplification
, but rather a
modal shift
—a
sophisticated translation of meaning into spatial and symbolic forms.
Intersemiotic translation expands the role of the translator from a linguistic
mediator to a
semiotic designer
. In technical and scientific contexts, where clarity,
speed, and cross-cultural communication are crucial, the shift from text to visual
content is not only practical but necessary.
However, this process is not without its challenges. Successful intersemiotic
translation requires deep understanding of both
technical meaning
and
visual design
principles
. As semiotic complexity increases, so does the translator's responsibility to
preserve
accuracy, logic, and usability
.
Ultimately, intersemiotic translation represents the convergence of language,
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design, and cognition—offering new possibilities for technical knowledge
dissemination in the 21st century.
References:
1.
Jakobson, R. (1959). “On Linguistic Aspects of Translation,” in
On Translation
,
Harvard University Press. — p. 233
2.
Kress, G., & van Leeuwen, T. (2006).
Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual
Design
. Routledge. — p. 2
3.
Horn, R. E. (1998).
Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st
Century
. MacroVU Press. — p. 41
4.
Bateman, J. A. (2008).
Multimodality and Genre: A Foundation for the
Systematic Analysis of Multimodal Documents
. Palgrave Macmillan. — p. 78
5.
O’Halloran, K. (2011). “Multimodal Discourse Analysis,” in
The Routledge
Handbook of Multimodal Analysis
. — p. 95
6.
Bertin, J. (1983).
Semiology of Graphics: Diagrams, Networks, Maps
.
University of Wisconsin Press. — p. 60
