Linguistic Theories of Translation

elective courses

The aim of the course is to survey major areas in linguistic theories of translation, presenting various aspects of translation that may be addressed from the linguistic perspective. The course exemplifies possible applications of concepts drawn from linguistic theories to the description of the translation process and the analysis of its outcome.

Dedicated to the MA programme

Classroom

Dedicated to the MA programme

Specialization course designed to complement the MA seminar "Translation Studies - Language and Culture"

The course covers several major areas in linguistic theories of translation since the 1950s, exploring their contribution to the emergence of translation studies as an independent academic discipline. It surveys a number of approaches to translation theory based on modern linguistic theories, including text-linguistic and cognitive models.

The topics include:

1. An overview of the possible connections between linguistics and translation studies.

2. R. Jakobson’s theory of meaning and equivalence.

3. E. Nida’s sociolinguistic approach.

4. Linguistic approaches to literary translation.

5. J. C. Catford’s theory of shifts.

6. Shifts of cohesion and coherence in translation.

7. The concept of 'translationese'.

8. K. Reiss’s text typology for translation purposes.

9. Thematic-rhematic structure in translation.

10. J. House’s pragmatic-functional model of translation assessment.

11. The application of cognitive grammar to translation analysis.

12. The application of frame semantics to translation analysis.

A topic may be covered in more than one class.

Selected sources:

Anderman, G. 2007. “Linguistics and Translation.” In: P. Kuhiwczak, K. Littau (eds), The Companion to Translation Studies. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 45-62.

Baker, M. 1992. In Other Words. London/New York: Routledge.

Blum-Kulka, S. 1986. “Shifts of cohesion and coherence in translation.” In: L. Venuti (ed.) 2000, The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 298-313.

Bukowski, P., M. Heydel (eds). 2009. Współczesne teorie przekładu. Antologia. Kraków: Znak.

Catford, J.C. 1965. A Linguistic Theory of Translation. London: Oxford University Press.

Jakobson, R. 1959. “On linguistic aspects of translation”. In: L. Venuti, (ed.) 2000, The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge, 113-118.

Fawcett, P. 1997. Translation and Language. Linguistic theories explained. Manchester: St Jerome Publishing.

Fillmore, Ch. J. 1977. “Scenes-and-frames semantics.” In: A. Zampolli (ed.). Linguistic Structures Processing. Amsterdam: North Holland, 55-81

Hatim, B., I.Mason. 1990. Discourse and the translator. London: Longman.

House, J. 2001. “Translation Quality Assessment: Linguistic Description vs. Social Evaluation.” Meta 46(2), 243-257.

Klemensiewicz, Z. 1955. “Przekład jako zagadnienie językoznawstwa.” In: M. Rusinek (ed.) 1955, O sztuce tłumaczenia. Wrocław: Zakład Narodowy imienia Ossolińskich, 85-97.

Malmkjær, K. 2005. “Translation and linguistics.” Perspectives: Studies in Translatology 13:1, 5-20.

Nida, E.A. 1969. “Science of Translation.” In: Nida, E.A. 1975. Language Structure and Translation. Essays by Eugene A. Nida. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 79-101.

Pym, A. 2010. Exploring Translation Theories. New York: Routledge.

Reiss, K. 1981. “Type, kind and individuality of text. Decision making in translation.” In: L. Venuti (ed.) (2000), (ed.) 2000, The Translation Studies Reader, London: Routledge, 160-171.

Snell-Hornby, M. 2005. “Of catfish and blue bananas: scenes-and frames semantics as a contrastive knowledge system for translation.” In: H.V. Dam, J. Engberg and H. Gerzymisch-Arbogast (eds), Knowledge Systems and Translation. Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.193-206.

Tabakowska, E. 2001. Językoznawstwo kognitywne a poetyka przekładu. Kraków: Universitas.

Tabakowska, E. 2013. “(Cognitive) grammar in translation: Form as meaning”. In: Ana Rojo and Iraide Ibarretxe-Antunano (eds) Cognitive Linguistics and Translation. Advances in Some Theoretical Models and Applications. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, 229-250.

Tirkkonen-Condit, S. 2002. “Translationese – a myth or an empirical fact? A study into the identifiability of translated language.” Target 14(2), 207-220.

Knowledge - Students will be able to:

- identify and characterize on an advanced level the interrelations between linguistics and translation studies K_W01

- describe on an advanced level the current trends in linguistics-inspired approaches within translation studies K_W02

Abilities - Students are able to:

- apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to linguistics-inspired approaches in translation studies K_U01

- apply knowledge obtained during the course to account for and solve a linguistic problem in translation K_U03

- analyze linguistic problems in the context of translation K_U04

- discern alternative methodological paradigms within linguistics-inspired approaches to translation K_U05

- collaborate with others in gropup tasks K_U08

- 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 K_U09

Social competences- Students are ready to:

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

- 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 linguistics and translation studies K_K03

- assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to linguistic approaches to translation K_K04

Language education at B2+ level

Credit will be given on the basis of a test.

Retake: test

Three absences are allowed.