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Translation Studies in Theory and Practice (CL938)

Convenor:                                       Dr Piotr Kuhiwczak


Teaching time: 

Autumn Term
Lectures - Wednesday  10:00-11:30
in S0.20 Social Studies
Workshops - Weeks 6-10
in H102 Humanities 

Course objectives:
The aim of the module is to introduce the most important concepts, models and approaches that have been used in translation studies, and to demonstrate how they relate to translation practice. The module will be focused primarily on literary translation but examples and case studies will be drawn from a whole range of texts.

The lectures will provide an introduction to translation theory, and the workshops will create an opportunity to test some of the concepts on practical translation examples.

Learning outcomes:
The outcomes will vary on students’ individual interests and commitment to particular aspects of the material presented during the lectures and in the workshops. However, the convenor hopes that by the end of the term the students will be able to:

  • To understand fundamental theoretical aspects of Translation Studies
  • To increase their sensitivity to cultural aspects of translation
  • To explore environment in which translated texts function
  • To improve their theoretical and practical understanding of translation processes from the analysis of the source text to the translation critique.

These outcomes are conditional on the following:

  • Lecture and workshop attendance
  • Systematic reading of prescribed material
  • Participation in workshops and discussions
  • Development of your independent reading habit
  • Effective use of the lecturers' office hour
Course details:
Week Theme Texts 
 1 What is Translation Studies? Bassnett, Susan. Translation Studies. London: Routledge, 2002, pp. 1-45  E-Book; PN241.B2  x4S; x1 3DL; x1 UIL; x2 LG
Holmes, James. ‘The name and nature of Translation Studies’ in Venuti, Lawrence. The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, pp.172-186.  E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000)
Kuhiwczak and K. Littau. A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007, pp. 1-13  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG
 2 The issue of translatability Aitchison, ‘Taming the Wilderness: Words in the Mental Lexicon’ in Anderman, Gunilla. Words, Words, Words. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1996, pp.15-27  E-Book; P306.W6  x3 S; x1 3DL
Jyotsna Vaid, ‘Joking Across Languages: Perspectives on Humour, Emotion, and Bilingualism’ in Pavlenko, A. Bilingual Minds. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters 2006, pp. 152-183.  P115.4.B54  x1 S See also http://www.erudit.org/revue/meta/1989/v34/n1/003913ar.pdf and the special issue of The Translator vol. 8/2, 2002.  Arts Periodical
Wierzbicka, Anna. Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 1-32  P35.W4  x1 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC
 3 Translation and Text typology Colina, Sonia. ‘Contrastive Rhetoric and Text-Typological Conventions in  Translation Teaching’ in  Target Arts Periodical 9, pp.335-353. (Short Loan)  x1 Photocopy
See also Hatim, Basil and Ian Mason. Discourse and the Translator. London: Longman, 1990 P306.H2  x1 S; x3 3DL; x1 SLC and  The Translator as Communicator. London: Routledge, 1997. (Short Loan)  xP306.H2  x3 S; x1 3DL
Trosborg, Anna (ed.) Text Typology and Translation. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: Benjamins, 1997.  P306.2.T3  x1 S; x1 SLC
 4 Reading Week Please, catch up with your reading and try to read ahead.
 5 Linguistic-based translation theories - problems of equivalence Jakobson, Roman. ‘On Linguistic aspects of translation’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000) (see above).  
G. Anderman, ‘’Linguistics and Translation’in Kuhiwczak and Littau, A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007, pp. 45-63  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG
Newmark, Peter. A Textbook of Translation, Harlow: Longman, 2003, pp.11-68  P306.N3  x3 S; x1 SLC  (1988)
Nida, Eugene. ‘Principles of correspondence’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000) (see above).   Vinay, Jean-Paul and Darbelnet, Jean in Venuti Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000) (see above).
 6 Skopos theory Nord, Christiane. Translating as a Purposeful Activity. Functionalist Approaches Explained. Manchester: St Jerome, 1997. (relevant extracts in Short Loan)  P306.N6  x1 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC
Reiss, Katarina., Translation Criticism- The Potentials and Limitations. Manchester: St Jerome, 2000.  PN241.R3  x2 S; x2 3DL (If you cannot get hold of this, read Reiss, Text types, translation types and translation assessment’ article also in Short Loan x1 Photocopy SLC)
Vermmer J. Hans. ‘Skopos and commission in translational action’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000) (see above).
 7 Descriptive Translation and Polysystems Theory Evan-Zohar, Itamar. ‘The position of translated literature within the literary polysystem’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (see above)
Gentzler, Edwin. Contemporary Translation Theories, London: Routledge, 1993, pp. 106-145.  PN241.G3  x5 S (2001) x2 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC
 8 Norms in Translation Studies Hermans, Theo. Translation in Systems, Manchester: St Jerome,1998, chapters 6-8 PN241.H3 x4 S; x2 3DL;
Chesterman, Andrew. ‘From Is to Ought: Laws, Norms and Strategies in Translation Studies’ in Target 5:1,1993, pp. 1-20 Arts Periodical
Toury, Gideon. ‘The nature and role of norms in literary translation’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000) (see above).
 9

From Theory to Practice in literary translation (guest session Margaret Jull-Costa)

10.15 START

Margaret Jull-Costa, ‘Mind the Gap.Translating the ‘untranslatable’. In Anderman, G (2007) Voices in Translation: Bridging Cultural Divides.Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. Pp. 111-123. Georgina Collins, ‘Going it alone’ in The Linguist vol 46, no 3, 2007 pp 20-21. Arts Periodical Ros Schwartz, ‘Going it alone’. The Linguist, vol46, no 4, pp.22-23. Arts Periodical You can also look up C. Landers, Literary Translation. Multilingual Matters, 2001.  PN241.L2 x3 S
 10

The Cultural Turn and After

 

Bassnett, Susan. ‘ Culture and Translation’ in A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007, pp. 13-24  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG
Hermans, Theo. The Manipulation of Literature, London: Croom Helm, 1985  PN241.M2  x3 S
Bassnett, Susan and Lefevere, Andre. Constructing Cultures. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1998- chapters 1 an 8.  E-Book; PN241.B2  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 LG; x1 SLC
Bassnett, Susan and Lefevere, Andre. Translation, History and, Culture London: Pinter Publishers, 1990- Introduction PN241.T7  x3 S; x1 3DL
Berman, Anoine, ‘ Translation and the Trials of the Foreign’ in Venuti, Lawrence The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 2002, E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (see above)
Shaeffner, Christina in A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG
Baker, Mona.  Translation and Conflict: a Narrative Account.  Manchester: St Jerome, 2006 (pp.105-140)  E-Book; P306.2.B2  x2 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC
Shaeffner, Christina in A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG
Louise von Flotow in A Companion to Translation Studies

Additional reading

You will find a substantial bibliography in A Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2007  P306.C6  x2 3DL; x2 SLC; x1 LG. Below is just a short selection to kick off your independent reading.
R. Alvarez, M. Carmen-Africa. Translation, Power, Subversion. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1996 – chapters 1, 2,3  E-Book; P306.T7  x4 S.
G. Anderman and M. Rogers. Words, Words, Words. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1996  E-Book; P306.W6  x3 S; x1 3DL.
G. Anderman and M. Rogers. Translation Today. Clevedon: 2003  P306.T7  x1 S
G. Anderman, G. Voices in Translation: Bridging Cultural Divides.Clevedon: 2007
M. Baker. In Other Words. London: 1992.  P306.B2  x7 S
W. Barnstone. The Poetics of Translation. London: 1993  PN241.B2  x4 S
S.Bassnett and A. Lefevere (eds.), Constructing Cultures. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1998 E-Book; PN241.B2  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 LG; x1 SLC.
S. Bassnett. Translation Studies. London: Routledge, 2002  E-Book; PN241.B2  x4S; x1 3DL; x1 UIL; x2 LG.
S. Bassnett. Comparative Literature. Oxford: 1994.  PN871.B2  x5 S
S. Bassnett, A. Lefevere (eds), Translation, History, Culture. London: 1996 (paperback)  PN241.T7  x2 S; x2 3DL
A. Benjamin. Translation and the Nature of Philosophy.  London: 1989.  PN241.B3  x12 S; x1 UIL Store
J. Biguenet and R. Schulte (eds), The Craft of Translation. Chicago: 1989.  PN241.C7  x1 S
J. Biguenet and R. Schulte (eds), Theories of Translation. Chicago: 1984.  PN241.T4  x4 S
J. Catford. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. London: 1965.  P306.C2  x2 S
A. Chesterman (ed.), Readings in Translation Theory. Helsinki: 1989. NIS O/P?
M. Cronin. Translating Ireland. Cork: 2000  PN887.5.I7  x4 S
M. Cronin. Translation and Globalization. London: 2003.
M. Cronin. Translation and Identity. London 2006.
Encyclopaedia of Translation Studies (ed.) M. Baker. London: 1998.  P306.R6  x1 REF
E. Gentzler. Contemporary Translation Theories, London: Routledge, 1993, PN241.G3  x5 S (2001) x2 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC.
T. Hermans (ed), The Manipulation of Literature, London: Croom Helm, 1985  PN241.M2  x3 S.
T. Hermans. Translation in Systems, Manchester: St Jerome,1998, chapters 6-8 PN241.H3 x4 S; x2 3DL.
D. Johnston.  Stages of Translation. Bath: 1996.  PN1708.S8  x2 S
A. Korzeniowska, P. Kuhiwczak, Successful Polish-English Translation. Warsaw: 1994.  PG6074.K6  x2 S
J. Holmes. Translated! Papers on Literary Translation and Translation Studies. Amsterdam: 1988.  PN241.H6  x3 S
A. Lefevere.  Translating Literature. New York: 1992.  PN241.L3  x2 S
A. Lefevere. Translation, Rewriting, and the Manipulation of Literary Frame. London:  1992.  PN241.L3  x5 S; x2 LG
A. Lefevere. Translation, History, Culture. A Sourcebook. London: 1992  PN241.T7  x2 S; x2 3DL
Ch. Martindale. Redeeming the Text. Cambridge: 1991.  PA6047.M2  x1 S; x1 LG
J. Munday. Introducing Translation Studies. London: 2002  P306.M8  x3 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL; x2 LG
E. Nida. Towards a Science of Translating.  Leiden: 1964.  BS450.N4  x2 S (2003) x2 S (1964)
T. Niranjana. Siting Translation. California: 1992.  PN241.N4 x1 S
P. Newmark. Approaches to Translation. London: 1982  P306.N3  x1 S; x1  SLC; x1 LG
P. Newmark. A Textbook of Translation, Hemel Hempstead: 1988, pp.11-68  P306.N3  x3 S; x1 SLC.
The Oxford Guide to Literature in Translation (ed.) P. France, Oxford: 2000  ZPR131.O9  x1 REF
A. Pym. Method in Translation History. Manchester: 1998.  P306.P9  x2 S
M. Salama-Carr. Translation and Interpreting Conflict. Amsterdam 2007
S. Simon. Gender in Translation. Cultural Identity and the Politics of Transmission. London: Routledge, 1996  E-Book; PN241.S4  x4 S.
M. Snell-Hornby. Translation Studies. An Integrated Approach. Amsterdam: 1988.  PN241.T7  x7 S
G. Steiner. After Babel.  London: 1992  PN241.S8  x3 S (1998 3rd Ed.) x1 S (1992 2nd Ed.) x2 S (1975)
H. Scolnicov and P. Holland. The Play Out of Context.   Cambridge: 1989.  PN2058.5.P5  x2 S
The Translation Studies Reader. (ed.) L. Venuti, London: Routledge, 2002.  E-Book;  x2 S; x2 3DL; x1 UIL (2004) x4 S; x2 3DL; x1 SLC (2000)
M. Ulrych. Translating Texts. Milan: 1990.  NIS
L. Venuti. The Translator's Invisibility. P306.V3  x3 S; x2 3DL,  London: 1995
L. Venuti. Rethinking Translation.(ed), London: 1992.  PN241.R3  x4 S; x1 3DL
A. Wierzbicka. Understanding Cultures Through Their Key Words. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997,  P35.W4  x1 S; x1 3DL; x1 SLC
W. Wills. The Science of Translation, Tubingen: 1982.  PN241.W4  x1 S
Williams, Jenny & Andrew Chesterman. The Map : a Beginner's Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies  Manchester: 2002.  P306.5.W4  x3 S; x1 UIL

Two journals: Target (E-Journal and Arts periodical) and Meta (E-Journal) are available online. Perspectives in Translatology (E-Journal; Arts Periodical) and The Translator (Arts Periodical) are available in the Library . John Benjamins’ Translation Studies Bibliography is now available electronically via the Library.