Michael Cronin (translation scholar)

TL;DR

Translation studies needs to acknowledge the changes in the global economy and society and recognize the importance of non-literary translations in a multi-lingual world.

Transcript

okay we're in miso adriatico uh at the cetra seminar in 2004 today is the 9th it's the 9th yeah 9th of September 2004 Professor Michael Cronin from City University in Dublin Michael tell me for those of us who don't want to buy your most recent book what's the relation between translation and globalization I think the first thing that made me write... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌐 Translation studies should recognize the changes in the global economy and society and their impact on translation activity.
• 🚱 Non-literary translations, particularly pragmatic translations, should be given equal attention and studied from a cultural studies perspective.
• 📔 The book emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of translation studies and its ability to contribute to debates on multiculturalism, interculturalism, and cosmopolitanism.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the book address the assumption that the world hasn't changed much since the late 19th century in terms of translation activity?

The book challenges this assumption by describing the political economy of translation activity and how it has been shaped by the rise of informationalism and the information society.

Q: What is the significance of treating non-literary translation as an object of study from a cultural studies perspective?

By examining pragmatic translation in cultural studies terms, the book highlights the complexity and importance of non-literary translations, which make up the majority of translations in the world today.

Q: How does the book establish links between translation studies and other disciplines?

The book draws on various disciplines, such as political science, economics, anthropology, psychology, and organization theory, to demonstrate the connections between translation activity and what is happening in the contemporary world.

Q: Can you provide an example of how networking theory is relevant to translation in the contemporary world?

Networking theory, which emphasizes the importance of connections on a network rather than physical distance, helps understand the experience of translators working in a multilingual world and the need for both first order (brief and instantaneous) and second order (complex and lasting) exchanges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The book "Translation and Globalization" examines the political economy of translation in a changing global society.

• It argues for the importance of studying non-literary translations, particularly in scientific, technical, and commercial fields.

• The book also aims to establish links between translation studies and other disciplines, such as political science, economics, anthropology, and psychology.