Rebranding translation, a lecture by Anthony Pym

TL;DR

Translation studies have evolved over the past 50 years, expanding beyond linguistic equivalence to include broader concepts of mediation and communication. However, the discipline's message has not fully reached other fields, hindering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Transcript

It's a great honor and a privilege to be  invited to speak at the 50th birthday party   of the Institute of Applied Linguistics at the University of Warsaw. I'm very pleased to do   it for more than one reason. You have a great track record; you guys have got a very beautiful building   I notice and I think you're doing exactly what  all of us shou... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍝 Over the past 50 years, translation studies has expanded beyond linguistic equivalence to encompass broader concepts of mediation and communication.
• 💯 Translation activities in language education can have positive effects on class interaction and writing scores.
• 🪡 There is a need for interdisciplinary collaboration between translation studies and other disciplines to enhance understanding and foster exchange.
• ⚾ Resistance to translation in language education is based on outdated assumptions and can be overcome by recognizing the role of translation in mediation and communication.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has translation studies evolved over the past 50 years?

Translation studies has evolved from a focus on linguistic equivalence to broader concepts of mediation and communication. The discipline has expanded to include considerations of language learning, cultural translation, and the role of translation in various domains.

Q: Why is there resistance to translation in language education?

The resistance to translation in language education is rooted in assumptions that languages exist in separate social spaces and that translation restricts fluency. There is also a perception that translation activities have nothing to do with activities like explanation, translanguaging, or code-switching.

Q: What are some positive effects of translation activities in language learning?

Research has shown that translation activities can increase class interaction and improve writing scores. Students tend to be more in favor of translation activities than their teachers, as they have been using translation tools in their language learning journey.

Q: How can translation studies collaborate with neighboring disciplines?

To bridge the gap between translation studies and neighboring disciplines, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. Translation scholars need to communicate the broader concepts of mediation and communication to other disciplines and publish in different fields outside of translation studies. This collaboration can lead to a better understanding of translation's role in society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker reflects on the evolution of translation studies over the past 50 years, acknowledging the discipline's growth and its shift from linguistic equivalence to broader concepts of mediation and communication.

• The speaker highlights the resistance to translation in language education, which is rooted in assumptions such as separate language spaces and the belief that translation restricts fluency.

• Translation activities have been found to have positive effects, such as improved class interaction and writing scores, and students tend to be more in favor of translation activities than their teachers.

• The speaker emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to bridge the gap between translation studies and neighboring disciplines.