Sumários

Sense-for-Sense versus Word-for-Word Translation

31 Março 2025, 09:30 • Zsófia Gombár

At the beginning of the class, Sts completed a short reading comprehension quiz based on an excerpt from Cicero’s De Optimo Genere Oratorum, which they had to read for today’s class.

Beatriz Borgas and Fernanda Ferro gave their presentation, followed by a Kahoot quiz. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QK2DrrTHvAKEN9DFE05mkZtbDNdHbszN/view

 

Afterwards, the class watched a video created by Peter Constantine and Brian Sneeden from the University of Connecticut on word-for-word versus sense-for-sense translation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5wXDbA0WE&t=5s

 

Following the video, Sts took a Google quiz, and we discussed the answers together: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFGBLsDiCKEEBtDWrKnxhJTTK3REGfpqE_rqvwMSEoK6VLvA/viewform

 

Please note that all educational activities covered in class are posted on the following blogpost: https://translationhistory2025.blogspot.com/2025/03/educational-activities-each-activity.html.

 

All exercises are mandatory. If you miss a class, you must complete the corresponding activity within 21 days of its publication on the blog.

 

The Septuagint

26 Março 2025, 09:30 • Zsófia Gombár

Sts watched a short video on the Septuagint (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAW0_615YEg&t=3s) and then answered related questions via a Google Form.

Subsequently, they were required to read an extract from “The Letter of Aristeas to Philocrates”, followed by a second set of questions on the text, also completed through a Google Form.


Research in Translation History

24 Março 2025, 09:30 • Zsófia Gombár

Beatriz Neves and Diogo Lemos gave a presentation on Translation Studies Journals: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGhSKaF6Xc/8ko5CUB4QJtu5NM1wu4Tvw/edit


Sts were tasked with conducting research in Translation History as if preparing an article for a Translation Studies journal. Working in teams, they investigated how many Portuguese translations of George Bernard Shaw’s works were published or staged in Portugal between 1933 and 1974. Furthermore, they analysed how many plays were authorised, authorised with cuts, or banned. To complete these tasks, they had to apply the research skills gained during our visits to the Biblioteca Nacional and the National Archives at Torre do Tombo.


Guest speaker: Laura Miñano Translation and Interpreting in Nazi Concentration Camps

19 Março 2025, 09:30 • Zsófia Gombár

Dr. Laura Minano’s seminar explored the crucial role of translation and interpretation in Nazi concentration camps, where prisoners from diverse linguistic backgrounds had to navigate communication under extreme oppression. Drawing on survivor memoirs and current research, she examined how deportees acquired German to survive, the role of camp interpreters (Dolmetscher im Lager), and how language could both reinforce and subvert power structures. The session concluded with an interactive activity in which students analysed biographical extracts and descriptions to identify different types of interpreters.

Bibliographical Sources: Biblioteca Nacional II

17 Março 2025, 09:30 • Zsófia Gombár

Sts took part in a guided tour of the National Library, where they learned how to request books and navigate online resources. They also explored the accessibility department for the blind and visually impaired, the book repository, and the book conservation department.