Translation Studies - MA Seminar 3 3301-JSS3KIZ

The seminar explores the most significant issues within the field of translation studies and attempts to analyze their practical implications. The areas investigated include:
- problems connected with defining the term translation (what is and what is not a translation/what translation is and what it is not);
- types of translation and relations among them;
- the unit of translation;
- the notion of untranslatability;
- types, levels and degrees of translation equivalence;
- the cultural and linguistic factors in the translation process;
- translation strategies;
- translation techniques and procedures;
- translation errors;
- the quality of translation;
- text typology and translation;
- the role of the source text author, the translator, and the target recipient in the process of translation;
- the role of power in translation;
- the issue of manipulation in translation.
The first two semesters of the seminar are meant to introduce the participants to the theoretical approach to translation, which is going to be achieved through reading, writing and discussion, whereas the remaining two semesters will be devoted mainly to working on the MA theses.
As far as their content is concerned, the MA theses are expected to focus on discussing and evaluating theoretical views of translation, possibly providing practical illustrations of particular problems. The practical illustrations may take the form of:
- comparing originals and their existing translations;
- comparing two or more translations of the same original;
- commenting on the strategies employed by the translators;
- discussing possible translation(s) of a given text;
- comparing the two languages and/or cultures and analysing the impact of the differences/similarities on the process of translation.
Material for analysis may include:
- literature (prose, poetry, drama);
- films and other audiovisuals;
- song lyrics;
- advertisements;
- titles of texts.

Course for second-cycle (MA) full-time students.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025
https://ia.uw.edu.pl/fileadmin/ilustracje/dokumenty/2026/RD_IA_2025_UCHWALA_nr16_narzedzia_AI_nowelizacja_ZAL2_EN.pdf

Course coordinators

Magdalena Kizeweter

Type of course

Master's seminars

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: the graduate has in-depth familiarity with

K_W02 advanced principles of linguistic research design, in particular the principles of method and tool selection in formulating research problems and testing hypotheses. specifically in the context of translation studies
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright

Abilities: the graduate is able to

K_U02 apply advanced principles of linguistic research design, and in particular is able to:
- select appropriate sources, methods and tools
- critically analyze and synthesize the current state of research in the discipline
- interpret and present the results obtained
using advanced information and communication techniques
K_U03 use structures, lexis and language conventions appropriate to the communicative situation (e.g. holding a public debate, giving an academic presentation, etc.) in spoken and written English at the minimum level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
K_U07 use modern technology to acquire knowledge and communicate through a variety of communication channels and techniques
K_U08 plan and organize individual and team work in order to achieve desired objectives effectively

Social competences: the graduate is ready to

K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
K_K03 fulfill social obligations, co-organize activities for the benefit of the social environment
K_K04 initiate action in the public interest, think and act entrepreneurially
K_K05 perform professional roles responsibly, specifically in the translation profession, including:
- set high standards of work ethics for themselves and for others
- cultivate the traditions and appreciate the achievement of one’s profession
- observe and develop professional ethics in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational pathway) within English Studies

Assessment criteria

Verification of outcomes W, U, K.

The students are required to:
- in the first semester: write an essay on a topic of their own choice related to one of the theoretical issues discussed during the classes and connected with their MA research (3-5 pages, Times New Roman 12, 2.0 spacing); formulate the topic of the MA thesis;
- in the second semester: write one complete chapter of the thesis;
- in the third semester: prepare a presentation related to the topic of the thesis; prepare the second chapter of the thesis;
- in the fourth semester: be ready with the final version of the thesis by the end of April.

Bibliography

Baker, Mona (1992) In Other Words. A Coursebook on Translation. London / New York: Routledge.
Baker, Mona ed. (1998) Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London / New York: Routledge.
Bassnett, Susan (2002) Translation Studies. 3rd ed. London / New York: Routledge.
Bednarczyk, Anna (2008) W poszukiwaniu dominanty translatorskiej. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Bielsa, Esperança - Susan Bassnett (2009) Translation in Global News. London/New York: Routledge.
Bogucki, Łukasz (2004) A Relevance Framework for Constraints on Cinema Subtitling. Łódź: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego.
Cronin, Michael (2009) Translation goes to the Movies. London/New York: Routledge.
Dąmbska-Prokop, Urszula (2000) Mała encyklopedia przekładoznawstwa. Częstochowa: Educator.
Dedecius, Karl (1974) Notatnik tłumacza. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Literackie.
Hatim, Basil (2001) Teaching and Researching Translation. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Hatim, Basil - Jeremy Munday (2004) Translation. An advanced Resourcebook. London / New York: Routledge.
Hejwowski, Krzysztof (2007) Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria Przekładu. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Korzeniowska, Aniela (1998) Explorations in Polish-English Mistranslation Problems. Warszawa: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.
Korzeniowska, Aniela - Piotr Kuhiwczak (2005) Successful Polish-English Translation. Tricks of the Trade. 3rd ed. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Kozak, Jolanta (2009) Przekład literacki jako metafora. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Krysztofiak, Maria (1996) Przekład literacki we współczesnej translatoryce. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM.
Kuhiwczak, Piotr - Karen Littau (eds.) (2007) A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Lefevere, André ed. (1992) Translation / History / Culture. A Sourcebook. London / New York: Routledge. Legeżyńska, Anna (1999) Tłumacz i jego kompetencje autorskie. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Newmark, Peter (1981) Approaches to Translation. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Newmark, Peter (1988) A Textbook of Translation. Harlow: Longman.
Pieńkos, Jerzy (2003) Podstawy przekładoznawstwa. Od teorii do praktyki. Kraków: Kantor Wydawniczy Zakamycze.
Pisarska, Alicja and Teresa Tomaszkiewicz (1998) Współczesne tendencje przekładoznawcze. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM.
Riccardi, Alessandra (ed.) (2002) Translation Studies. Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Robinson, Douglas (2003) Becoming a Translator. London and New York: Routledge.
Shuttleworth, Mark - Moira Cowie (1997) Dictionary of Translation Studies. Manchester: St Jerome Publishing.
Tomaszkiewicz, Teresa (2006) Przekład audiowizualny. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Venuti, Lawrence (1998) The Scandals of Translation. London / New York: Routledge.
Venuti, Lawrence ed. (2000) The Translation Studies Reader. London and New York: Routledge.
Venuti, Lawrence (2008) The Translator's Invisibility. A history of translation. 2nd ed. London / New York: Routledge.
Williams, Jenny and Andrew Chesterman (2002) The Map. A Beginner's Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.
Wojtasiewicz, Olgierd (1996) Wstęp do teorii tłumaczenia. 2nd ed. Warszawa: TEPIS.

Notes

Term 2026Z:

Three absences are allowed.