A sociology of translator training | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Translator training must consider language learning and intensity of translation situations to adapt to diverse contexts.

Key Insights

• ❓ Language learning is an essential component of translator training, even if individuals do not become professional translators.
• 🪡 The intensity of translation situations determines the need for professional translators and the reliance on language learning.
• 💁 The nature of information flows in translation is highly variable, making it challenging to establish stable employment for translators.
• 🛝 Translator training programs must start from the ground, considering the specific context and language pairs to provide effective education.
• 🌍 Certification systems for translators vary across countries, making mobility and international recognition difficult.
• 🔨 Audiovisual translation, such as subtitling, can be a valuable tool for language learning and engagement.
• ℹ️ The diversity of translation sources, such as fan subbing, highlights the need to adapt translator training to changing information flows and technologies.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How does language learning relate to translator training?

Language learning is an integral part of translator training, as individuals who learn languages can contribute to translation activities in various capacities. While not all language learners become professional translators, their language skills can still be useful in translation projects and language teaching.

Q: How does the intensity of translation situations affect the need for professional translators?

Higher intensity translation situations, marked by frequent language contact and social investment, may lead to individuals learning the languages themselves and relying less on professional translators. In contrast, lower intensity situations may require more specialized translators due to limited language learning and less frequent translation needs.

Q: How do information flows in translation impact the need for professional translators?

Information flows in translation can be highly variable and irregular, making it challenging to establish stable employment for professional translators. Translation demands fluctuate, and the need for translators arises when there are specific information transfer needs, further complicating the establishment of a consistent job market.

Q: What are the implications of unregulated translator training and certification systems?

The lack of regulation in translator training allows individuals to call themselves translators without formal qualifications, contributing to an unregulated workforce. Additionally, the disjunction between training programs and certification systems makes it difficult to establish a unified and internationally recognized certification process for translators.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Translator training should consider language learning as part of the process, as individuals who learn languages may not always become professional translators, but can contribute to translation activities in various ways.

• The intensity of translation situations, determined by factors such as frequency of contact between languages and social investment, affects the need for professional translators and the reliance on language learning.

• The nature of information flows in translation varies greatly, with translation flows being irregular and variable, making it challenging to establish stable and constant employment for translators.