Theory of Translation

Code:

MTSL025

Acronym:

TTRAD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Language Sciences - Translation

Instance: 2017/2018 - 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	35	MTSL - Study Plan	1	-	6	60	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Assuming that the translation process is essentially a process of problem solving requires on the part of the translator two main competences: a) identification of translation problems and b) methodological knowledge for their solution. Within this theoretical concept the first programmatic focus will draw the attention of the students on different theoretical approaches which decisively contributed to the construction of a functional model of translation and to the definition of the relevant factors in the translation process. Within this programmatic assumption students are asked to formulate research hypothesis that will contribute to a more differentiated description of the translation process as whole. Special attention will be given 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 seen as a process of intercultural text production.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to:
- Point to the different factors involved in the translation of non-literary texts;
- reflect on the profession of the translator;
- develop conceptual, analytical and methodological skills;
- develop a research methodology;
- recognize the interdisciplinary dimension of the discipline;
- develop a critical attitude towards the presented models;
- acknowledge the relevance of theory grounded in professional practice;
- recognize 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. Theory of technical translation
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 receptor
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

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, stimulating his research interests in the domain of translation studies. It will be based essentially on the analysis of different text types in different contexts. Individual research proficiency, a critical attitude and the ability to define explicit translation strategies/methods/procedures will be stimulated.
Main attention will be given to the active participation in classes, both by the presentation of short papers/talks related to the above mentioned topics, as well as to the 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 (%)
Participação presencial	40,00
Teste	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	80,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de investigação	28,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Working students and other students legally exempt from regular class attendance should contact the teacher at the beginning of the semester to combine a form of alternative assessment.

Calculation formula of final grade

40% - presentation of case studies and/or state of art report and/or critical review of article/book

60% - written test.

To pass the subject, students have to obtain a score of at least 10 in the written assessment and in the oral assessment and the final average score cannot be less than 10 (on a scale of 0-20).

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 will have to repeat some of the assessment components.

Observations

n.a.