Prática de Tradução Inglês-Português – TP1/TP2

LIN2.86950

1st semester

Rui Vitorino Azevedo

English / Portuguese

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to some of the main issues/problems involved in translating texts from English into Portuguese. Given that this is an interdisciplinary area, it will be apparent that communicating information between languages requires more than just a good dictionary and an ability to write clearly.  Thus, this course aims to offer lots of practice in developing solutions to different sorts of translation problems, thus developing useful translation skills. It will focus on translation strategies and offer a set of competences required to succeed as a professional translator. It therefore aims to help students become attentive, self-critical translators of a range of different text types, while being able to weigh up linguistic and cultural choices and articulate the reasons for their decisions.

We will begin by looking at translation as a process in order to examine what it is that a translator does. As it is known, any given text may be understood with varying degrees of precision and so our aim will be to give an appropriate linguistic response to different types of problems. Although we will discuss the topics of literal translation, equivalence, free translation or translation loss, among others, classes will have an extremely practical nature where we will review texts that have been assigned as homework, i.e. this class will almost be run as a translation workshop. By doing so, we will look at some of the typical features of the English language as well as factors that may affect the translation process. We will review some general translation approaches but will also look at more radical/precise strategies while illustrating how they are applied to the translation of different types of documents. Finally, we will look at some challenges translators face in a wide range of areas. Hopefully, you will find these practical strategies rewarding and useful and then apply them to the various types of texts that you will encounter in this professional field.  

By the end of this course students should have acquired the following skills:

1)        understand/interpret texts from a variety of fields in the source language and translate them using an appropriate register;

2)        obtain the necessary knowledge to produce a professional translation;

3)        reflect on the function of the linguistic system and the characteristics of language;

4)        know some typical translation strategies and make practical use of them.

For students to reach the objectives and produce professional translations it is necessary for them to understand the source language, identify translation problems and translate several texts with a certain level of precision. Although the basis for this course is translation practice, which will allow students to use both the oral and written approaches, we will also read and analyze the texts to be translated. Lessons are interactive, with opportunities for practice in pairs, small groups or the whole class. Given that some of the texts we will work on have a certain level of difficulty, it is also expected that students have at least the B2.2 level in both languages. 

Attendance at all lectures is strongly recommended in order to develop language awareness and translation skills and ensure steady progress. In terms of assessment, it is expected that students give an oral presentation (in groups and worth 30% of the final grade) and take two tests (worth 35% each). For borderline students, attendance and participation will also be taken into consideration.

Assessment criteria:

1)     Oral presentation (30%);

2)     Test #1 (35%);

3)     Test #2 (35%).

No textbook is needed for this course. The instructor will provide all the theoretical contents as

well as the texts to be translated through Moodle. However, here is a list of recommended books:

Baker, M. (2017). In other words: a coursebook on translation. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY,

Routledge.

Bassnett, S. (2014). Translation studies. London; New York, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

---. (2019). Translation and world literature. London; New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Bassnett, S. and A. Lefevere (1998). Constructing cultures: essays on literary translation. Clevedon;

Philadelphia, Multilingual Matters.

Gile, D., et al. (2010). Why translation studies matter. Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Philadelphia, PA,

John Benjamins Pub. Co.

Hermans, T. (1985). The Manipulation of literature: studies in literary translation. London, Croom Helm.

Landers, C. E. (2001). Literary translation: a practical guide. Clevedon; Buffalo, Multilingual Matters.

Munday, J. (2016). Introducing translation studies: theories and applications. London; New York,

Routledge.

---. (2007). Translation as intervention. London; New York, Continuum.

Peeters, J. (2005). On the relationships between translation theory and translation practice. Frankfurt

am Main; New York, Peter Lang.

Venuti, L. (2008). The translator's invisibility: a history of translation. London; New York, Routledge.

---. (2012). The translation studies reader. London; New York, Routledge.

Will, F. (1993). Translation theory and practice: reassembling the tower. Lewiston, E. Mellen Press.