Daniel Gile: Research for training, research for society in Translation Studies | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Research in translation studies has the potential to explore reality, but there are challenges in determining its impact and serving the interests of society.

Key Insights

• 🈸 Basic research is accepted in various fields, even without immediate application, but funding requirements can become a challenge when applications are not clear.
• 🤨 Applied research in translation studies raises questions about serving the needs of society and who determines the priorities for resource allocation.
• 🤗 Poor research in translation studies can lead to incorrect conclusions, discredit the community, and put academic power in the hands of incompetent leaders.
• 👨‍🔬 Rigorous thinking and research skills are essential in translation studies to improve the overall quality of research.
• 👨‍🔬 Feasible research that enhances research skills should be a priority before focusing on research that serves the purposes of society.
• 👻 Empirical research in translation studies allows for easier detection of problems and ensures explicit description of data collection and processing.
• 💭 Interaction between different schools of thought in translation studies can be studied through citations and can provide insights into the field's development.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How is basic research different from applied research in terms of goals?

Basic research focuses on exploring reality without immediate application, while applied research aims to change and improve reality by serving the interests or ideologies of certain society members or groups.

Q: Who decides the priorities for allocation of resources in applied research?

It is not always clear who sets the priorities for allocation of resources in applied research, raising questions about whose interests are being served and whether societies or specific groups dominate.

Q: What are the potential concerns about the impact of research in translation studies on society?

There are accusations within the translation studies community that research in this field can be used for control, oppression, or colonization, raising questions about how research findings are used and by whom.

Q: Why is rigorous thinking and research skills important in translation studies?

Poor research in translation studies can lead to incorrect conclusions, discredit the community, and put academic power in the hands of leaders who may not be competent as researchers. Rigorous thinking and research skills are crucial to avoid these problems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Basic research is an exploration of reality and is generally accepted in fields like literature, mathematics, philosophy, and political science, even without immediate application.

• Applied research aims to change reality and improve it, but questions arise about whether it truly serves the needs of society and who sets the priorities for allocation of resources.

• In translation studies, the question of what kind of research should be conducted arises, considering whose interests are at stake and whether the research findings will be put to good use.