Translation Studies Today and Tomorrow 3301-ZJSW004
The aim of the course/lecture is to show students what the discipline known as Translation Studies means today, what it involves, and what its perspectives are for the future. To understand the present state of the discipline, however, it is necessary to look at the different turns it has taken over the last thirty years and to see what 'turn' the new millenium has brought to this field of studies. Different models will be presented, substantiated with texts the students can work on to see how theoretical approaches and different viewpoints can be actually put into translation practice. The following seven topics will be discussed during the seven meetings in the semester:
1. The 1980s in retrospect: Descriptive Translation Studies and the Manipulation School.
2. Skopostheorie; the functionalist approach to translation.
3. The 'interdiscipline' of the 1990s.
4. The globalization turn of the 1990s and the onslaught of Lawrence Venuti's foreignization paradigm.
5. Translation as a decision-making process.
6. Gender and translation.
7. Translation ethics.
Requirements: 1) Regular class attendance and active participation in any translation work done throughout the course; 2) The translation of a chosen text accompanied by a detailed commentary outlining the translation process and the decisions undertaken. The deadline for handing in this assignment is the last meeting of the semester.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
- gains/extends his/her knowledge of translation theory and awareness of the complexity of the translation process
- becomes aware of / extends his/her awareness of the complexities of the pluralism of cultures as systems
Skills:
- knows how to present his/her gained knowledge logically and clearly both orally and in writing
- knows how to assess the usefulness of different theoretical concepts for research purposes as well as how to differentiate their applicability in practice
Social competences:
- is aware of the social significance of his/her knowledge, work and skills
- understands the ethical dimension of his/her work and follows the principles of translator ethics
K_W01 understands the importance, place and specificity of English philology in the context of the humanities;
K_W03 has an advanced knowledge of the grammar, syntax, phonology, phonetics, morphology, pragmatics of English and its history;
K_W05 knows the complex conditions of the process of second language acquisition; understands and properly applies models of foreign language acquisition typical of English linguistics;
K_W06 knows and understands the nuances of translation theory and the complexity of the translation process;
K_W08 has an in-depth knowledge of the historical development of language, especially English, and the semantic variability and complexity accompanying this process;
K_W09 has an advanced understanding of the complexity and pluralism of cultures, knows the obvious and non-obvious cultural codes that determine intercultural contacts, knows the structural and institutional conditions of culture, especially in the context of the countries of the English language area;
K_W10 knows to an advanced degree the geographical, historical, political, economic, cultural and social realities of the countries of the English language area;
K_U01 is able to use advanced terminology in linguistics and literary studies and research methodology appropriate to these disciplines within English philology;
K_U04 can creatively interpret, analyze, hierarchize, synthesize content and phenomena in their linguistic, cultural, social, historical, economic dimensions;
K_U08 can appreciate the diversity of opinions contained in scientific, literary, journalistic texts and presented in discussions, and creatively use them as a source of inspiration;
K_K01 is aware of the social significance of his knowledge, work, skills; is ready to co-create the social environment;
K_K09 consciously participates in one's own national culture, respects the cultural heritage of Europe, manifests understanding and curiosity about the diverse cultures of the world, is characterized by tolerance towards otherness, relates with respect to different cultural behavior, as well as to different individual views.
Assessment criteria
Students are assessed on the basis of regular attendance in class, of one obligatory translation to be handed in during the semester, and a final semester assignment consisting of the translation of a chosen text (500-600 words) and a commentary on the translation process and decisions taken (max. 200 words).
Bibliography
Bassnett, Susan & Andre Lefevere (1998) Constructing Cultures. Essays on Literary Translation, Clevedon: Multilingual Matters
Bowker, Lynne et al. eds (1998) Unity in Diversity? Current Trends in Translation Studies, Manchester UK: St Jerome Publishing
Cronin, Michael (2003) Translation and Globalization, London & new York: Routledge
Gentzler, Edwin (1993) Contemporary Translation Theories, London & New York: Routledge
Kuhiwczak, Piotr & Karin Littau eds (2007) A Companion to Translation Studies, Clevedon: Multilingual Matters
Munday, Jeremy (2001) Introducing Translation Studies. Theories and Applications, London & New York: Routledge
Pym, Anthony (2012) On Translator Ethics: Principles for Mediation between Cultures, Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company
Snell-Hornby, Mary (1995) Translation Studies: An Integrated Approach. rev. ed. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company
Snell-Hornby, Mary (2006) The Turns of Translation Studies, Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company
Venuti, Lawrence (1995) The Translator's Invisibility. A History of Translation, London & New York: Routledge
Venuti, Lawrence (1995) The Translator's Invisibility. A History of Translation, London & New York: Routledge
Venuti, Lawrence (ed.) (2000) The Translation Studies Reader, London & New York: Routledge
Venuti, Lawrence (2013) Translation Changes Everything. Theory and Practice, London & New York: Routledge
von Flotow, Louise (1997) Translation and Gender. Translating in the Era of Feminism, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Additional information
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