FF:AJ32057 Translation Theory - Course Information

AJ32057 Translation Theory

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Renata Kamenická, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Renata Kamenická, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts

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 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

Students will get familar with the basic topics and issues in theory of translation. Firstly, they will get insights into the main tasks of theory of translation and the connections between translation theory, translation methodology and practice. Then they will get acquainted with the main milestones of history of translation and get an overview of the main lines of thought in theory of translation. This will be achieved through lectures plus reading a selection of chapters from the literature recommended by the teacher during the semester, among other things reflected the student's background in translation and translation theory so far (whether none or some elements of these).

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 translation decisions in translated texts and/or students' own translations 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 similarity?; 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. ISBN 1556197063. info
• HERMANS, Theo. Translation in Systems. Descriptive and System-oriented Approaches Explained. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing, 1999, 197 pp. ISBN 900650-11-8. info
• BASSNETT, Susan. Translation studies. Fourth edition. New York: Routledge, 2014, xii, 190. ISBN 9780203488232. info
• MUNDAY, Jeremy. Introducing translation studies : theories and applications. Fourth edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2016, xvi, 376. ISBN 9781138912540. info
• NIDA, Eugene A. Toward a science of translating. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1964, x, 331. info
• LEVÝ, Jiří. The art of translation. Edited by Zuzana Jettmarová, Translated by Patrick Corness. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2011, xxviii, 32. ISBN 9789027284112. info
• SNELL-HORNBY, Mary. Translation studies : an integrated approach. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1988, viii, 163. ISBN 1556190514. info
• NORD, Christiane. Translating as a purposeful activity : functionalist approaches explained. Repr. Manchester, UK: St. Jerome Publishing, 2007, 154 s. ISBN 9781900650021. info
• TOURY, Gideon. Descriptive translation studies and beyond. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1995, viii, 311. ISBN 1556196873. info
• VENUTI, Lawrence. The translator's invisibility : a history of translation. London: Routledge, 1995, xii, 353. ISBN 0415115388. 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 their PhD dissertation topic is sought and emphasized in the selection of readings.

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 e-learning support).

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: every other week.
General note: Tento kurz je určen pouze studentům doktorského studia! This course is designated for PhD students ONLY!.

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