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  5. History and Theory of Translation

History and Theory of Translation

Objectives

1) To acquire an understanding of the main currents and trends in western translation theory from Antiquity to the present day within a broad multi-disciplinary perspective
2) To understand how these theoretical currents impinge upon the practical work of the professional translator
3) To develop the capacity for critical analysis and creative thought essential for all academic engagement
4) To develop the academic skills of effective reading, text production and oral debate

 

General characterization

Code

01109786

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Karen Bennett

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

  • Bassnett, S. (1991/1980). Translation Studies, Rev. Edition. Routledge.
  • Blumczynski, Piotr (2023) Experiencing Translationality: Material and Metaphorical Journeys. Routledge.
  • Cronin, Michael (2017) Eco-Translation: Translation and Ecology in the Age of the Anthropocene. Routledge
  • Deslisle, J. & J. Woodsworth (ed) (2012). Translators through History. Revised edition. John Benjamins
  • Munday, J. Ramos Pinto, S. and Blakesley, J. (2022) Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. 5th edition. Routledge.
  • Pym, A. (2010). Exploring Translation Theories. Routledge
  • Snell-Hornby, Mary (2006). The Turns of Translation Studies: New Paradigms or Shifting Viewpoints? John Benjamins
  • Steiner, G. (1998/1975) After Babel: Aspects of Language and Translation. Oxford University Press.
  • Toury, Gideon (1995). Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. John Benjamins.
  • Venuti, L. (2008). The Translator´s Invisibility: A History of Translation. Routledge.

Teaching method

Where possible, the teaching will be student-centred, involving textual analysis, group discussion, problem-solving and task-based activities, supplemented by mini-lectures for the purpose of contextualization. Students will be asked to do reading and on-line research in their own time in preparation for the lessons. Describe the teaching methodsDescribe the teaching methods

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - 1. Exam: this will take place at the end of Module 2 and aims to test the students’ knowledge about the history of translation 2. Individual work: to be delivered shortly after the end of the course, this will consist of a descriptive translation study or a genealogical exploration of a canonical work (vertical translation or “translationality”).(100%)

Subject matter

1. Introductory Module
General overview: introduction to the theory of translation; definitions of 'translation'; the 'translator's dilemma and the historical/cultural nature of the responses to it
2. Historical Module:
- introduction to the two traditions: i) the exegetical (foreignizing) tradition; ii) the rhetorical (domesticating) tradition
- chronological survey of the main theories and tendencies in western culture (Cícero, Jerome, Luther and the Reformation bibles; the 'belles infidèles' of the neoclassical period, Dryden and Pope, German Romanticism and 20th century manifestations of the hermeneutic tradition; the postwar socialist consensus)
3. Translation Theory since 1950:
- the post-war linguists (Jakobson, Vinay & Darbelnet, Nida etc)
- Translation Studies as a disciplinary field: descriptivism, functionalism, the cultural turn
4. The New Paradigm
- "Translationality"
- epistemic and experiential translation
- ecotranslation