Translation Theories
Code
73217167
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas
Credits
12
Weekly hours
2
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Goals:
1. to provide an overview of the contemporary reflection about translation in the West;
2. to acquaint students with the main reflection models in contemporary Translation Studies;
3. to question preconceptions about translation, opening up intellectual horizons and taking into consideration the situatedness of knowlede production.
Skills:
1. to be able to locate arguments and texts in the temporal flow, interpreting the positionings in light of the
circumstances of the time and place that produced them;
2. to be able to reflect critically upon translatory considerations, translational strategies and discursive
practices in the field of translation;
3. to be able to follow critically the main currents of Translation Studies;
4. to be able to incorporate the reflection by both translators and theorists, integrating it in its interpretative
potential, in order to act consciously and critically when researching and / or evaluating a translated text.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
The course is an overview of contemporary Western thought on translation. Its speculative impulse aims to debate the complexity of the phenomenon. The texts to be discussed are a starting point for critical inquiry, methodical doubt and critical awareness.
1. The post-war years & translation as a conciliatory project
1.2. The 20th-century legacy:
1.2.1. Translation & literary studies
1.2.2. Translation & linguistics
1.2.3. The dream of a science of translation
2. The ´revolution´ of Translation Studies
2.1. The importance of place: the Netherlands & Israel
2.2. The Manipulation School & Polysystem Theory
3. Translation & culture
3.1. Translation & hospitality
3.1.1. Functionalist approaches
3.1.2. Descriptive Studies
3.2. Translation & the cultural debates
3.2.1. Ideology & power
3.2.2. Identity & gender
3.2.3. Empires, decolonization & migration
3.2.4. Cultural translation
4. Translation & everyday practices: multiculturalism, globalization, technology
Bibliography
BAKER, Mona (ed.) (2009), Translation Studies, London and New York: Routledge.
BASSNETT, Susan (2013), Translation, Critical Idiom, London and New York: Routledge.
GENTZLER, Edwin (1993), Contemporary Translation Theories, London and New York: Routledge
KUHIWCZAK, Piotr, LITTAU, Karin (eds.) (2007), A Companion to Translation Studies, Clevedon, Buffalo, Toronto: Multilingual Matters
MALMKJAER, Kirsten e WINDLE, Kevin (eds.) (2011), The Oxford Handbook of Translation Studies, Oxford: OUP.
MUNDAY, Jeremy (ed.) (2009), The Routledge Companion to Translation Studies, London and New York: Routledge
PETRILLI, Susan (ed.) (2003), Translation Translation, Amsterdam and New York: Rodopi.
PYM, Anthony (2010), Exploring Translation Theories, London and New York: Routledge
VENUTI, Lawrence (ed.), (2000), The Translation Studies Reader, London and New York: Routledge.
Teaching method
Teaching: Attendance is mandatory, so PhD students are required to attend at least 2/3 of the sessions. The seminar will include expository moments as well as debate with and among students. The specific contents of each session will be made public in advance, together with a list of specific readings, so that students are able to prepare the assigned texts and the debate.
Evaluation method
Assessment: Student assessment is continuous, which means that critical reflection on the texts and topics to be discussed and quality interventions are most welcome (20%). In addition, students will be required to prepare and present oral assignments (20%) and to submit a final written paper (60%).
Sine qua non conditions for approval in the seminar are the ability and willingness to reflect and discuss the proposed issues and texts, a thorough command of the Portuguese language and the capacity for serious research.