Translation Theory
Code
711121039
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Helena Agarez Medeiros
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
1) To acquire a brief overview of the history of the theories and practices of translation from Classical Antiquity to the end of the 20th century.
2) To analyse from a critical viewpoint excerpts from texts written by some of the most important theorists in Translation Studies.
3) To identify relationships between Translation Studies and other areas.
Prerequisites
Non-applicable.
Subject matter
I) An Overview of Translation Theories and Practices from Cicero to Translation Studies
1. Classical Antiquity: Translation as Cultural Enrichment
2. The Middle Ages: Translation and the Affirmation of Nationhood
3. \"God´s Word in Man´s Language\": Reform and Translation
4. \"Belles Infidèles\": Translations in the 17th Century
5. \"Before Babel\": Rationalism, Enlightenment and Translation
6. \"Master-Servant Relationship\": Translation Practice in the 19th Century
7. The 20th Century: the (Im)Possibility of Translation
II) Translation Studies: Origins and Development of a New Subject Area
1. The Importance of the Polysystemic Approach
2. From Comparative Literature to Translation Studies
3. The Contribution of Descriptive Studies
4. Translation and Cultural Studies
5. The (Re)Construction of the Canon and New Literary Histories
6. Translation as a Political and Ideological Practice
7. Translation and Post-Colonial Studies
Bibliography
1) Baker, Mona and Gabriela Saldanha (eds) (2011). Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. 2nd ed. Abingdon/New York: Routledge.
2) Bassnett, Susan (2013). Translation Studies. 4th ed. London/New York: Routledge.
3) Eysteinsson, Astradur and Daniel Weissbort (2006). Translation Theory and Practice. A Historical Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4) Kuhiwczak, Piotr and Karin Littau (eds) (2007). A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon/Toronto: Multilingual Matters.
5) Mjalmkaer, Kirsten and Kevin Windle (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Translation Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
6) Munday, Jeremy (2012). Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. 3rd ed. London/New York: Routledge.
7) Palumbo, Giuseppe (2009). Key Terms in Translation Studies. London/New York: Continuum.
8) Venuti, Lawrence (ed) (2000). The Translation Studies Reader. London/New York: Routledge.
Teaching method
The classes which make up the first part of the programme will be essentially theoretical in character, drawing upon information and communication technologies and academic databases. Those in the second part of the programme will be essentially practical and based on the analysis and discussion of previously selected texts. To begin with, the work will be carried out as a class and later in small groups or individually depending on the number of students in the class.
Evaluation method
Assessment will be based on three main areas: 1) participation in the analysis and discussion of texts and tasks (15%); 2) oral presentation of a written review (35%); 3) a written test (50%).