Constraints in the Translation Process Exemplified by Vocal Translation

elective courses

Blended learning
Classroom

The aim of the course is to discuss the problem of constraints in the process of vocal translation (including, e.g. singable translation, surtitling and subtitling). To this end students will be presented with selected topics connected with the theory, pragmatics and semiotics of translation. They will be given the opportunity to carry out a comparative analysis of specific examples of vocal translation by means of applying theoretical models presented in class.

The course is of a theoretical and practical nature and consists of two modules:

- the theoretical module aimed at presenting selected topics connected with the theory, pragmatics and semiotics of translation

- the practical module aimed at analysing specific examples of vocal translation.

Selected topics discussed during the classes:

1. Introducing translation studies (e.g. determining the object of study, defining translation, classifying translation and various theoretical models).

2. Norms and constraints in translation (the classification put forward by Toury and Chesterman, constraints as an element facilitating the process of translation).

3. Selected problems of the semiotics of translation (three types of translation by Jakobson, intersemiotic translation, nonverbal signs and translation, image-word relationships).

4. Selected problems of the pragmatics of translation (extralinguistic elements of translation, manipulation in translation).

5. Text typology, functions of language, the aim of translation (text typology by Reiss, the skopos theory, adequacy and equivalence, translation as a secondary offer of information).

6. The concept of multimodality, polysemioticity, multimediality and channels of communication (the concept of text, media of communication, multimodality versus polysemioticity).

7. Towards a model of constraints in translation (features of a good research model, different aspects of the translation process, linguistic and extralinguistic constraints).

8. Singable translation – rationale and constraints (the problem of singability and what is dominant in a song).

9. A comparative analysis of translations of selected songs (popular music).

10. Translating for the stage – opera translation (libretto translation, translation and operetta).

11. Translating for the stage – opera surtitling.

12. Translating for the stage – translation and musicals.

13. Translating songs in audiovisual productions – singable translation and dubbing.

14. Translating songs in audiovisual productions – subtitling.

15. End-of-term test.

In the course of the semester students will acquire various academic skills, including the ability to critically analyse academic papers, present selected topics in the form of an oral presentation, formulate and analyse research problems in the field of translation studies or use theoretical paradigms and concepts typical of translation studies while discussing specific problems.

Encyclopaedias and dictionaries:

Baker M. (ed.) 1998. Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London/New York: Routledge.

Dąmbska-Prokop, U. (ed.) 2000. Mała encyklopedia przekładoznawstwa. Częstochowa: Wydawnictwo Wyższej Szkoły Języków Obcych i Ekonomii Educator.

Malmkjær, K. (ed.). 2018. The Routledge Handbook of Translation Studies and Linguistics. Oxon/New York: Routledge.

Millán, C. and Bartrina, F. (ed.) 2012. The Routledge Handbook of Translation Studies. London and New York: Routledge

Articles and chapters:

Bosseaux, Charlotte. 2013. “Some Like it Dubbed: Translating Marilyn Monroe”. In Music, Text and Translation, Helen Julia Minors (ed.), 81-92. London: Bloomsbury.

Burton, Jonathan. 2009. “The Art and Craft of Opera Surtitling”. In Audiovisual Translation. Language Transfer on Screen, Jorge Díaz-Cintas and Gunilla Anderman (eds), 58-70. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Chesterman, Andrew. 1997. Memes of Translation. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Chapter 3 “From Memes to Norms”, 51-86.

Desblache, Lucile. 2009. “Challenges and Rewards of Libretto Adaptation”. In Audiovisual Translation. Language Transfer on Screen, Jorge Díaz-Cintas and Gunilla Anderman (eds), 71-82. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Franzon, Johan. 2008. “Choices in Song Translation. Singability in Print, Subtitles and Sung Performance”. The Translator 14(2): 373-399.

Gutt, Ernst-August. 1998. “Pragmatic Aspects of Translation: Some Relevance-Theory Observations”. In The Pragmatics of Translation, Leo Hickey (ed.), 41-53. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

Jakobson, Roman. 1959. “On Linguistic Aspects of Translation”. In Reuben A. Brower (ed.), On Translation, 232–239. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.

Jakobson, Roman. 1960. “Closing Statements: Linguistics and Poetics”. In Style in Language, Thomas A. Sebeok (ed.), 350–377. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

Low, Peter. 2003. ”Singable Translation of Songs”. Perspectives 11: 87-103.

Low, Peter 2013. “When Songs Cross Language Borders”. The Translator 19(2): 229-244.

Mateo, Marta. 2008. “Anglo-American Musicals in Spanish Theatres”. The Translator 14(2): 319-342.

O’Sullivan, Carol. 2013. “Introduction: Multimodality as Challenge and Resource for Translation.” Journal of Specialised Translation 20: 2-14.

Susam-Sarajeva, Şebnem 2008. “Translation and Music. changing perspectives, Frameworks and Significance”. The Translator 14(2): 187-195.

Stecconi, Ubaldo. 2007. “Five reasons why semiotics is good for translation studies”. In Doubts and Directions in Translation Studies, Yves Gambier, Miriam Schlesinger & Radegundis Stolze (eds), 15–24. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Toury, Gideon. 1995. Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins. Chapter 2 “The Nature and Role of Norms in Translation”, pp. 53-69.

Virkkunen, Riitta. 2004. "The Source Text of Opera Surtitles”. Meta 49(1), 89-97.

Knowledge:

The student will be ale to:

K_W01 - identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of linguistics, including translation studies, within the humanities

K_W02 - describe on an advanced level the current trends in translation research within English studies

Skills

The will be able to:

K_U03 - apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline linguistics, especially in the area of translation studies

K_U04 - analyse linguistic, literary and cultural phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level

K_U05 - discern alternative methodological paradigms within the discipline of translation studies

K_U08 - participate in group projects, collaborate with others and be a team leader in conducting collaborative research, presentations and other tasks included in the curriculum

K_U09 - present knowledge in a coherent, precise and linguistically correct manner in English on level C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ensuring an appropriate register and form

Social competences

The student will be ready to:

K_K02 - apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development

K_K03 - take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies

K_K04 - assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies

- in-class participation

- an oral presentation discussing a selected text from the course bibliography

- active participation in discussions

- positive results of the end-of-term test

Students are allowed to be absent three times a semester.

In order to receive the required credit students have to individually prepare an oral presentation on a selected text from the course bibliography and pass the end-of-term test.

The presentation is assessed according to the following criteria:

- content and subject matter – 0–4 points

- interpretation and deductive reasoning skills – 0–4 points

- language accuracy and structure of the presentation – 0–2 points

The points (both for the presentation and for the test) are added together and expressed as a percentage of the total; the final grades are then calculated in accordance with the following scale:

5! – 100–98%

5,0 – 97%–92%

4,5 – 91–84%

4,0 – 83-76%

3,5 – 75-68%

3,0 – 67-60%

2,0 – 59-0%

The final grade is calculated on the basis of the presentation grade (40%) and the test grade (60%).

Re-take exam:

- re-take test covering the problems discussed in class.

Additionally, in case of no presentation grade, the student is obliged to submit a written critical review of the selected text.