The author argues that instead of assuming a questionable direct relationship between neuroscience and psychoanalysis, one can resort to the intermediate theory of autopoietic systems, which is compatible with both disciplines. The author then shows the congruence between the autopoietic systems theory, the Freudian and Laplanchean translational model of the mind, Saussure’s linguistics and Simondon’s concept of individuation through transduction. The concept of transduction also serves to address an apparent issue with Laplanche’s translational model.

KEYWORDS: Neuroscience, psychoanalysis, translation, transduction, trace.