- Code
- ELL 341
- Name
- Introduction to Translation
- Semester
- 5
- Lecture hours
- 4.00
- Seminar hours
- 0.00
- Laborator hours
- 0.00
- Credits
- 4.00
- ECTS
- 5.00
- Description
-
This course approaches the art of translation from a dual perspective of theory and practice, also focusing on the ethics of this field. It will address the history of translation, focusing on various theoretical approaches and the types of translation that affect the translator’s standpoint and choice while dealing with a certain type of text.
- Objectives
-
The objectives of this course include: - To equip students with theoretical background on translation and help them acquire the basic skills and effective strategies to translate various types of texts. - To assist students in developing awareness of a range of strategies and techniques used to translate. - To help students understand a variety of structural issues and their impact on meaning. - To enable students recognize translation theories and important development in translation studies - To use translation tools and resources effectively; and analyze texts, structures, and contexts to identify appropriate translation strategies
- Java
- Tema
- 1
- Introduction to the course. Students will be introduced to the syllabus, course evaluation and classroom policies.
- 2
- Defining Translation. This session introduces students to various definitions of translation, its modes, and its role in communication. We will discuss Jakobson’s classification of translation into intralingual, interlingual, and intersemiotic forms. By understanding translation both as a process and a product, students will begin to contextualize the concept within broader linguistic studies. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 1-9. Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004), pp. 3-5.
- 3
- Literal and Free Translation. We delve into the age-old debate between literal and free translation strategies. Using examples from historical figures like Cicero and St. Jerome, we will examine how translators balance between form and content in different translation situations. The class will also discuss key translation strategies, such as adaptation, modulation, and transposition, as outlined in both texts. Students will gain insights into the dynamic decision-making process of translators and the impact of cultural and textual contexts. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 28-51. Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004) pp. 10-12.
- 4
- Equivalence in Translation. This week focuses on the concept of equivalence in translation, a central yet controversial topic in translation theory. We will examine Nida’s dynamic and formal equivalence theories and how they have shaped translation practice. Students will engage with critiques of the concept, learning how modern theorists challenge the feasibility of achieving strict equivalence between source and target texts. Through discussions and analysis, we will understand how equivalence plays out in different translation contexts. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 10-27. Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004), pp. 40-42.
- 5
- Translation Shifts. It introduces students to translation shifts, a concept pioneered by J.C. Catford. This topic covers how changes in meaning, structure, and grammar occur between source and target texts. We will discuss both major and minor shifts and how they affect the overall fidelity of the translation. Through examples of lexical, grammatical, and pragmatic shifts, students will learn how to identify and analyze these shifts in practice. Reference: Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004), pp. 26-30.
- 6
- Pragmatics in Translation and Practical Assignment 1: Technical Translation. This week introduces students to pragmatics in translation, with a focus on the translation of technical texts. We will discuss how pragmatic meaning can differ between text types and how translators approach informative texts such as manuals, reports, or legal documents. In contrast to literary translation, technical translation emphasizes clarity, precision, and consistency. For the first practical assignment, students will be tasked with translating a technical or specialized text (around 500 words) that includes specific terminology and instructions. The goal is to maintain accuracy while ensuring that the text is functional and understandable for the target audience. Students will also submit a brief commentary in which they explain how they managed terminology, pragmatic meaning, and technical constraints during the translation process.
- 7
- Review. We will take a step back to review and consolidate the core topics and theories discussed during the first five weeks of the course. This review is essential for ensuring that students have a strong grasp of foundational translation concepts before moving on to more specialized areas.
- 8
- Midterm Exam
- 9
- Translation Solutions. This week delves into translation solutions, focusing on how translators solve problems encountered during the translation process. Subtopics include types of translation solutions, and how different strategies can be employed depending on the translation’s purpose. The role of creativity in finding solutions to seemingly untranslatable concepts will also be highlighted. Students will analyse specific examples of how translators address difficult translation challenges across different linguistic pairs. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 28-51.
- 10
- Agents of Power in Translation. This week introduces students to the role of power dynamics in translation. Translation is not just a linguistic activity but also a cultural and ideological one. We will discuss how political and social forces influence translation decisions, and how translators act as agents of power by shaping or reframing texts. Examples from historical and contemporary contexts will be analyzed to illustrate the ideological implications of translation. Reference: Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004), pp. 93-97.
- 11
- Cultural Translation. This week’s focus is on Cultural Translation and the challenges of translating culturally specific concepts. Subtopics include the translator’s role as a cultural mediator, the balance between foreignization and domestication strategies, and how translation can shape cultural perceptions. Students will discuss examples of difficult cultural translations, such as translating humour, idioms, and traditions, and how these challenges differ across various cultures and languages. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 187-213.
- 12
- Automation and Machine Translation. This week, the students will investigate the role of Automation and Machine Translation in contemporary practice. This includes a historical overview of machine translation, the advancements in neural machine translation (NMT), and how automation impacts translation accuracy and efficiency. Subtopics will include the limits of machine translation, post-editing processes, and the ethical implications of relying on automated systems for complex translations. We will also explore the role of translation memories and CAT tools in enhancing productivity for human translators. Reference: Exploring Translation Theories (2023), pp. 156-186.
- 13
- Translation in the Information Technology Era. In the final week, we look at the impact of information technology on translation practices, particularly in the context of globalization. Topics will include localization, the adaptation of digital content for global audiences, and the role of technology in shaping translation practices. We will discuss the future of translation as it becomes increasingly intertwined with digital media and explore emerging trends in the field. Reference: Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (2004), pp. 112-115.
- 14
- Translation Norms and Practical Assignment 2: Literary Translation. Students will be given their second practical assignment: translating a short literary text (around 500 words). The text will contain cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and stylistic features that require careful handling. In this assignment, students will be expected to apply their understanding of translation norms and explore the balance between faithfulness to the source text and adaptation for the target audience. Key areas to focus on include handling idiomatic language, maintaining the author's style, and considering the target culture’s expectations. The assignment will be accompanied by a brief reflective commentary explaining their translation choices in relation to the norms discussed in class.
- 15
- Review. In the final week of the course, we will focus on reviewing and synthesizing the key translation theories and practices discussed throughout the semester. This session serves as a recap of the major concepts, including equivalence, functionalism, translation norms, cultural adaptation, and pragmatic translation, with a particular emphasis on how these theories are applied in both literary and technical translation tasks. Students will reflect on their translation assignments and engage in a critical discussion about the challenges they encountered in balancing theory with practical application. We will also explore how advancements in technology, such as machine translation and localization, influence the field of translation and what implications these developments have for future translation practice. By the end of the week, students should have a comprehensive understanding of how various translation theories provide different lenses through which to view and solve translation problems.
- 16
- Final Exam
- 1
- Identify and trace the development of translation as a discipline and its developmental stages to reach our time
- 2
- Demonstrate understanding of translation theories, various strategies, translation schools and types of translation
- 3
- Provide insight and understanding into the variety of approaches needed for a translated text, as well as the ability to identify the necessary method to translate a certain text
- 4
- Acquit and develop the ability to translate various texts, of varying difficulties and varying authors
- 5
- Cultivate student’s capacity to judge the aesthetic and ethical value of translated texts and be able to articulate the standards behind their judgments;
- Quantity Percentage Total percent
- Midterms
- 1 30% 30%
- Quizzes
- 0 0% 0%
- Projects
- 2 15% 30%
- Term projects
- 0 0% 0%
- Laboratories
- 0 0% 0%
- Class participation
- 0 0% 0%
- Total term evaluation percent
- 60%
- Final exam percent
- 40%
- Total percent
- 100%
- Quantity Duration (hours) Total (hours)
- Course duration (including exam weeks)
- 16 4 64
- Off class study hours
- 14 3 42
- Duties
- 2 4 8
- Midterms
- 1 5 5
- Final exam
- 1 6 6
- Other
- 0 0 0
- Total workLoad
- 125
- Total workload / 25 (hours)
- 5.00
- ECTS
- 5.00