AJP69012 Theory of Translation I

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Renata Kamenická, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, CSc.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 12:00–13:40 G23
Prerequisites
None.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 2/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Within the one-semester lecture course offered as a part of the Master's Diploma in Translation studies programme, students will get familar with the basic topics and issues in theory of translation. Firstly, students will get insights into the main tasks of theory of translation and the connections between translation theory and practice and then they will get knowledge of the main milestones of history of translation and theory of translation. They will be initiated into the specifics of Czech and Slovak theories of translation (with focus on Levý and Popovič). In the rest of the course they will get an overviewof the main trends in theory of translation. Since the studies programme has a strong practical focus, the requirements for successful completion of the course will include mastering the content of the course as presented in the lectures plus having read a selection of chapters from the literature recommended by the teacher during the semester. Credits will be granted upon passing a written exam.
Learning outcomes
Upon competing the course, the student will:
-
be aware of the goals of translation studies, fundamentals of the field's methodlogies and its links to practice; -
be able to give an overview of the main phases in the development of theory of translation and the process of getting independent of linguistics and forming a self-standing discipline; -
be aware of the different theories of translation and identify their respective areas of applicability; -
support their translation decisions referring to a suitable theory; in specific situations, give arguments based on their knowledge of translation theory.
Syllabus
  • (1) Theory of translation and its relevance for translation practice; theory vs. methodology; the tasks of theory of translation – J. Holmes, Chesterman. (2)- (3) Recurrent issues in theory of translation (source/target language/culture emphasis; equivalence; translatability vs. untranslatability; free vs. literal translation; re/writing vs. translation), memes (Chesterman). (4) Equivalence in translation: Equivalence, or relevant similariy?; direct and indirect equivalence. Linguistic approaches. (5) A brief overview of history of translation; history of translation vs. contemporary theories. (6) Czech theories of translation: J. Levý and his position in translation theory in general, Czech structuralism and translation. (7) Slovak theories of translation: A. Popovič and Fr. Miko and their position in the context of theory of translation. (8) Nida and the ‘science of translation’; a review and comparison of different models of the translation process (Levý, Popovič, Nida). (9) Functional approaches and skopos theory: Vermeer, Reiss, Nord; translation and theory of action. (10) Descriptivism in translation theory: polysystem theory, norms and translation, G. Toury. (11) Translation and ideology: Manipulation School, Venuti, translation and gender, translation in postcolonial context. (12) Sociological approaches to translation: A. Pym; applications of theory by P. Bourdieu; topical issues in theory of translation: topics not covered yet (e.g. translation quality assessment).
Literature
  • CHESTERMAN, Andrew. Memes of translation : the spread of ideas in translation theory. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1997, vii, 219 s. ISBN 90-272-1625-8. info
  • BASSNETT, Susan. Translation studies. Rev. ed. London: Routledge, 1991, xxi, 168. ISBN 0415065283. info
  • GENTZLER, Edwin. Contemporary translation theories. 2nd rev. ed. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2001, xiv, 232. ISBN 1853595136. info
  • HERMANS, Theo. Translation in Systems. Descriptive and System-oriented Approaches Explained. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1999, 197 pp. ISBN 900650-11-8. info
  • LEVÝ, Jiří. České teorie překladu : vývoj překladatelských teorií a metod v české literatuře. Edited by Jiří Honzík. Vyd. 2. (rozdělené do dvou. Praha: Ivo Železný, 1996, 273 s. ISBN 8023729527. info
  • LEVÝ, Jiří. Umění překladu. Edited by Karel Hausenblas. Vyd. 3., upr. a rozš. verze. Praha: Ivo Železný, 1998, 386 s. ISBN 802373539X. info
  • MUNDAY, Jeremy. Introducing translation studies : theories and applications. London: Routledge, 2001, xiv, 222. ISBN 0415229278. info
  • NIDA, Eugene A. Toward a science of translating. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1964, x, 331. info
  • NIDA, Eugene Albert and Charles R. TABER. The theory and practice of translation. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1982, viii, 218. ISBN 90-04-06550-4. info
  • NORD, Christiane. Translating as a Purposeful Activity: Fuctionalist Approaches Explained. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1997, 154 pp. ISBN 1900650029. info
  • POPOVIČ, Anton. Teória umeleckého prekladu : aspekty textu a literárnej metakomunikácie. 2. preprac. a rozš. vyd. Bratislava: Tatran, 1975, 293 s. info
  • SNELL-HORNBY, Mary. Translation studies : an integrated approach. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1988, viii, 163. ISBN 90-272-2060-3. info
  • After Babel : aspects of language and translation. Edited by George Steiner. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992, xviii, 538. ISBN 0192828746. info
  • TOURY, Gideon. Descriptive translation studies and beyond. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1995, viii, 311. ISBN 90-272-2145-6. info
  • VENUTI, Lawrence. The translator's invisibility : a history of translation. London: Routledge, 1995, xii, 353 s. ISBN 0-415-11537-X. info
  • Rethinking translation : discourse, subjectivity, ideology. Edited by Lawrence Venuti. London: Routledge, 1992, xi, 235 s. ISBN 0-415-06050-8. info
Teaching methods
Lectures with some degree of student input. Students are encouraged to adopt a personalized approach to translation theory and to engage critical thinking. Immediate relevance to translation tasks in other courses and their translatorial work is emphasized.
Assessment methods
Lecture - credits will be awarded based on passing a written exam. Attending the lectures is recommedned as well as reading shorter texts included in optional readings (see the Elf support).
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information about innovation of course.
This course has been innovated under the project "Faculty of Arts as Centre of Excellence in Education: Complex Innovation of Study Programmes and Fields at FF MU with Regard to the Requirements of the Knowledge Economy“ – Reg. No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0228, which is cofinanced by the European Social Fond and the national budget of the Czech Republic.

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The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
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