Translation Theory and Methodology

The course begins with the presentation and analysis of contemporary translation approaches and turns in translation theory. A brief reference is made to the theories of equivalence and then the functional approaches (Skopos Theory, Theory of Translation Action) are analysed in more detail. Then the main turns and the new trends of translation studies are presented, discussing issues such as the paradox of the increased need for translation in the age of globalisation, time as a factor influencing the translation process and the translation result, the position and the role of the translator in society, the translation strategies chosen according to both the textual genre (humour, cuisine, music, websites, etc.) and the purpose of translation, laying emphasis on the particularities of translation from major into minor languages.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students:

• They will understand translation as an interdisciplinary science per se.
• They will be aware of the evolution of translation studies in the modern era.
• They will be aware of all translation approaches and turns.
• They will have acquired the necessary theoretical background, which will serve as a theoretical framework for the projects they will be asked to elaborate in practical orientation courses.
• They will recognise the international terminology of translation studies.
• They will have a better understanding of the deeper aspects of translation in general.

Week 1: Equivalence theories – Functional approaches – Polysystem theory.

Week 2: The cultural and sociological turn in Translation.

Week 3: Translating children’s literature.

Week 4: Humour translation.

Week 5: Translation and cuisine.

Week 6: Translation and music.

Week 7: Translation and identity.

Week 8: Translation and conflict: ethics, management of mental and cognitive load.

Week 9: Translation and localization.

Week 10: Translation and subtitling.

Week 11: Multimodal translation.

Week 12: Translation of advertising texts.

Week 13: Censorship in translation - ethics.

Baker, Mona (ed). (1998) Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London & New York: Routledge.

Baker, Mona (2006). Translation and Conflict. A Narrative Account. London and New York: Routledge.

Bassnett, Susan (1991). Translation Studies. London: Methuen.

Bassnett, Susan & Lefevere, André (1990). Translation, History, Culture. London: Piunter Publishers.

Bassnett, Susan & Lefevere, André (1998). Constructing Cultures. Essays on Literary Translation. Clevedon/Philadelphia/Adelaide: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Chesterman, Andrew (1997). Memes of Translation: The Spread of Ideas in Translation Theory. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Cronin, Michael (2000). Across the Lines. Travel, Language, Translation. Cork: Cork University Press.

Cronin, Michael (2006). Translation and Identity. London and New York: Routledge.

Cronin, Michael (2007). Μετάφραση και παγκοσμιοποίηση (Πρόλογος-Σχολιασμός-Μετάφραση Π. Κελάνδριας). Αθήνα: Δίαυλος

Delisle, Jean & Judith Woodsworth (eds) (1995). Translators Through History. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Fawcett, Peter (1997). Translation and Language. Manchester: St. Jerome.

Fawcett, Peter & Guadarrama-García, Karla L. & R. Hyde Parker, Rebecca (Eds.) (2010). Translation: Theory and Practice in Dialogue. London/New York: Continuum.

Gentzler, Edwin (1993). Contemporary Translation Theories. London & New York: Routledge.

Hatim, Basil & Ian Mason (1997). The Translator as Communicator. London & New York: Routledge.

Hermans, Theo (1999). Translation in Systems. Manchester: St. Jerome.

Lefevere, André (ed) (1992). Translation/History/Culture. A Sourcebook. London & New York: Routledge.

Lathey, Gillian (2016). Translating Children’s Literature. London & New York: Routledge.

Leppihalme, Ritva (1997). Culture Bumps. An Empirical Approach to the Translation of Allusions. Clevedon/Philadelphia/Adelaide: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Meschonnic, Henri (2011). Ethics and Politics of Translating (transl.-ed. Pier-Pascale Boulanger). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Co.

Mossop, Brian (2001). Revising and Editing for Translators. Manchester: St Jerome.

Munday, Jeremy (2001). Introducing Translation Studies. London & New York: Routledge.

Newmark, Peter (1988). A Textbook of Translation. New York: Prentice Hall.

Nord, Christiane (1997). Translating as a Purposeful Activity. Manchester: St. Jerome.

Pym, Anthony (2012). On Translator Ethics. Principles for mediation between cultures (transl. from French by Heike Walter, ed. And updated by the author). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Co.

Saldanha, Gabriela & O’Brien, Sharon (2014). Research Methodologies in Translation Studies. London and New York: Routledge.Snell-Hornby, Mary (1988/1995). Translation Studies. An Integrated Approach. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Schäffner, Christina (2001). Annotated Texts for Translation: English-German. Functionalist Approaches Illustrated. Clevedon/Philadelphia/Adelaide: Multilingual Matters Ltd.

Snell-Hornby, Mary (1988/1995). Translation Studies. An Integrated Approach. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Toury, Gideon (1995). Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Trosborg, Anna (ed) (1997). Text Typology and Translation. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

Venuti, Lawrence (1995). The Translator's Invisibility. A History of Translation. London & New York: Routledge.

Venuti, Lawrence (ed) (2000). The Translation Studies Reader. London and New York: Routledge.

Williams, Jenny & Chesterman, Andrew (2002). The Map. A Beginner’s Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.

In the classroom. Except for the first two lessons where the lecturer presents the way the course will be conducted and the very basic concepts of translation studies, the course is conducted through an interactive discussion following the presentation of a thematic unit by one student at a time.

During the semester, invited academics and professionals from Greece and abroad deliver lectures on specific topics, e.g. Ecotranslation.

Use of ICT in teaching.

Evaluation is through written essays in a two-stage process. The students, having chosen the topic to be analysed after discussion with the teacher, present their work before the whole class, explaining the topic to be developed and the way they worked. The aim of this stage is to evaluate through an interactive discussion the way in which the students have approached their topic, and to improve their essay through the comments made by the participants (lecturer and students). At this stage, the evaluation concerns the process and the management of the literature resources. Subsequently, the assignments are handed in to the lecturer after having been completed within a reasonable deadline. The evaluation of the final deliverable is product-oriented.