Theory of Translation

Code:

MTSL025

Acronym:

TTRAD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Language Sciences - Translation

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Germanic Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master of Arts in Translation and Language Services

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MTSL	34	Study plan	1	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This curricular unit builds upon the principle that the translation process is essentially a problem-solving process which requires the command of two main competences by the translator: a) identification of translation problems and b) methodological knowledge to solve those problems. Therefore, the syllabus starts by drawing the students' attention to different theoretical approaches which decisively contributed to the construction of a functional model of translation and to the definition of the most relevant factors in the translation process. Students are therefore asked to formulate research hypothesis that will contribute to a streamlined description of the translation process as whole. Special attention will be paid to new contributions on quality assessment criteria for literary and technical texts. The explicit formulation of quality criteria should contribute to a more grounded understanding of the translation process itself and will be seen as a process of intercultural text production.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the semestre, students should be able to:
- identify the different factors involved in the translation of non-literary texts;
- reflect on the translation profession;
- demonstrate conceptual, analytical and methodological skills;
- demonstrate the ability to design a research methodology;
- recognize the interdisciplinary dimension of the discipline;
- demonstrate a critical approach to the models discussed;
- acknowledge the relevance of theory grounded on professional practice;
- identify the processes involved in translation;
- implement appropriate tools and procedures for the assessment of translation products;
- know the prerequisites for a successful translation process.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n./a.

Program

1. Technical translation theories
1.1 Specificity of technical translation
1.2 Types of equivalence in technical translation
1.2.1 Referential equivalence
1.2.2 Terminological equivalence
1.2.3  Pragmatic equivalence
1.2.4 Textual Equivalence
1.3 The translation brief
1.4 The source text
1.5 The target text receiver 
1.6 The target text
1.7 Quality criteria
2. The translator as text producer
2.1 Culture bound text type conventions: text analysis criteria 2.1.1 Composition
2.1.2 Syntax
2.1.3 Stylistic aspects
2.1.4 Formatting
3. The translation process and its implications
4. Theoretical approaches to machine translation

Mandatory literature

Bernardo, Ana Maria; A Tradutologia Contemporânea. Tendências e Perspectivas no Espaço de Língua Alemã, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian/ Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, 2009. ISBN: 978-972-31-1273-3
Cronin, Michael; Translation and Globalization, Routledge, 2003. ISBN: 0-415-27064-2
Gambier, Yves; Doorslaer, Luc van; Handbook of Translation, Vol.2 e 3, John Benjamins, 2011
Gentzler, Edwin; Contemporary Translation Theories, Routledge, 1993
Göpferich, Susanne; Interkulturelles Technical Writing. Fachliches adressatengerecht vermitteln. , Narr , 1998
Guadec, Daniel; Profession: Traducteur, La Maison du Dictionnaire, 2002. ISBN: 2-85608-173-8
Hatim, Basil; Munday, Jeremy; Translation. An Advanced Resource Book., Routledge, 2004. ISBN: 041528306X
Hüsgen, Thomas J.C.; Vom getreuen Boten zum nachdichterischen Autor. Übersetzungskritische Analyse von Fernando Pessoas 'Livro do Desassossego' in deutscher Sprache., Peter Lang, 2005
Kussmaul, Paul; Verstehen und Übersetzen. Ein Lehr- und Arbeitsbuch., Gunter Narr, 2007. ISBN: 978-3-8233-6350-7
Nord, Christiane; Text Analysis in Translation. Theory, Method, and Didactic Application of a Model for Translation-Oriented Text Analysis, Rodopi, 1991
Mertin, Elvira; Prozessorientiertes Qualitätsmanagment im Dienstleistungsbereich Übersetzen, Peter Lang, 2006
Mossop, Brian; Revising and Editing for Translators., St. Jerome Publishing, 2001
Munday, Jeremy; Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications, Routledge, 2001. ISBN: 0–415–22926–X
Peeters, Jan (Ed.); On the Relationships between Translation Theory and Translation Practice, Peter Lang, 2005. ISBN: 978-3-631-53442-7
Pym, Anthony; Exploring translation theories , Routledge, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-415-55363-6
Robinson, Douglas; Western Translation Theory from Herodotus to Nietzsche, St. Jerome., 1997
Snell-Hornby, Mary; Translation Studies. An Integrated Approach, John Benjamins, 1988
Stolze, Radegundis; Übersetzungstheorien. Eine Einführung, Narr, 1994
Venuti, Lawrence; The Translator's Invisibility. A history of translation, Routledge, 1995
Vermeer, Hans J.; Esboço de uma teoria da tradução, ASA, 1986
Wotjak, Gerd; Schmidt Heide (Ed.); Modelle der Translation / Models of Translation. Festschrift für Albrecht Neubert., Vervuert., 1997

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes will be student-centered, thus stimulating the student's research interests in the field of translation studies. The sessions will be based in particular on the analysis of different text types in different contexts. Individual research proficiency, a critical stance and the ability to define explicit translation strategies/methods/procedures will be encouraged.
Special attention will be given to the student's active participation in classes, both via the presentation of short papers/talks related to the afore-mentioned topics, and via the student's active participation in group discussions.

Software

power point
word

keywords

Humanities > language sciences > Linguistics > Applied linguistics

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	92,00
Frequência das aulas	41,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	1,00
Trabalho escrito	28,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Working students and other students legally exempt from regular class attendance should contact the teaching staff at the beginning of the semestre to discuss a form of alternative assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Written assignment: 60%
Oral presentation/discussion of the written assignment: 40%

In order to pass the curricular unit students need to obtain a minimum grande of 9.5 points in each of the assessment components (test and in-class translation work) and an average of at least 10 points (in a 0-20 point scale).

Examinations or Special Assignments

n./a.

Internship work/project

n./a.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

n./a.

Classification improvement

Students wishing to improve their final grade/repeat their assessment will have to take an oral examination. In case of assessment repetition the student has to have the minimum grade of 8 (out of 20).

Observations

n./a.