Overview

During this course, you will be introduced to the discipline of Translation Studies as has emerged and developed in the past three decades. Through the study of a number of seminal works, you will be guided through contemporary debates about the theory and practice of translation, including the controversy around such concepts as 'equivalence', 'manipulation', 'power differentials', feminist, 'queer', and postcolonial debates. Time will be devoted to the study of both textual and audiovisual translation. Practical cases and examples, in a variety of modern languages, will be considered in the light of the theoretical debates covered.

Reading list: Bermann, Sandra and Catherien Porter (2014) (eds) A companion to translation studies. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell, Gentzler, Edwin (1993) Contemporary Translation Studies Theories, London & New York: Routledge. Bassnett, Susan and Andre Lefevere (1995) Translation, History and Culture, London: Cassell. Millán, Carmen and Francesca Bartrina (eds) (2013) The Routledge handbook of translation studies. NY: Routledge. Munday, Jeremy (2001) Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications, London & New York: Routledge. Venuti, Lawrence (2004) Translation Studies Reader, 2nd edition, London/New York: Routledge.

The above constitutes basic reading for the course. Topic specific reading lists will be provided for each segment of the course.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -50-59% (C- - C+): Students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the topic studied, forming solid conclusions about the validity and uses of critical theory as a whole.

-good -60-69% (B- - B+): Students receiving the higher grades of assessment will have analysed the sources provided, evaluating secondary material on set topics and assessing them as they form their own convincing conclusions.

-excellent -70+% (A- - A*):In order to achieve the highest grades, students will have supplemented the texts studied in class with additional primary and secondary reading, they will have analysed and evaluated existing readings of critical theory and come to their own innovative and thoughtful conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire a greater awareness of the range of debates in Translation Studies.

• Students will be able to analyse the relationship between individual theories and the subject to which they are applied.

• Students will be able to analyse the uses and validity of the different theories of translation.

• Students will gain experience of textual examples of specific critical theories.