Jeremy Munday, 'An Introduction to Translation Studies'

Summary

Jeremy Munday, with 20 years in translation, discusses the evolution of translation from a simple language transfer to a complex intercultural exchange. He highlights the importance of understanding both the source and target languages and cultures, as well as the need for subject-specific knowledge. Munday emphasizes the translator's role as an active participant, not just a conduit, in the communication process. He also touches on the impact of new technologies like machine translation and the expanding field of translation studies, which now includes areas like interpreting, audio-visual translation, and corpus-based research.

Takeaways

• 📚 Translation is fundamentally the written transfer of a text from one language to another, encompassing both linguistic and cultural elements.
• 🌐 The concept of translation has evolved to include various types of adaptation and intercultural transfer.
• 🎓 Translation studies is a discipline that investigates translation practices and translator training.
• 👤 To be an effective translator, one needs a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as their respective cultures.
• 🔍 A translator must possess subject-specific knowledge and be adept at researching unfamiliar terms and concepts.
• ✏️ Attention to detail is crucial for precision in writing and for proofreading to correct minor errors.
• 🤔 Translation involves considering the audience, purpose, and genre of the text, which influences the translator's approach and decisions.
• 📈 Translation studies has expanded to include sub-disciplines such as interpreting studies, audio-visual translation, and corpus-based translation studies.
• 🌟 The field of translation is influenced by questions of power, identity, and migration, with the translator acting as an intervener rather than a neutral conduit.
• 💻 New technologies have reshaped translation, introducing multi-modality, computer-assisted translation tools, and machine translation.
• 🔍 Ongoing research in translation studies seeks to understand how translation operates across different cultures and historical contexts.

Q & A

What does Jeremy Munday define as the most basic form of translation?

The most basic form of translation is the written transfer of a text from one language to another.

What is the additional aspect of translation that Jeremy Munday emphasizes?

Jeremy Munday emphasizes that translation is also about intercultural transfer and contact.

How has the concept of translation evolved according to Jeremy Munday?

In recent years, the concept of translation has broadened to consider all different types of adaptation and version.

What is translation studies and what does it investigate?

Translation studies is a discipline that investigates translation as a phenomenon, including translator training.

What are the essential qualities required to be a translator according to the transcript?

A translator needs to know the source language and its culture, have subject-specific knowledge, be detail-oriented, and possess a good understanding of the target language.

Why is subject-specific knowledge important for a translator?

Subject-specific knowledge is important because it allows the translator to understand and use the correct terminology in the target language, especially when translating specialized texts like those on solar panels.

What role does attention to detail play in translation?

Attention to detail is crucial for precision in writing and for proofreading and correcting minor mistakes in the translated text.

Why is translation theory knowledge important for a translator?

Knowledge of translation theory is important for a translator to understand why they make certain choices and to be aware of the underlying concepts in translation studies.

How does the audience and the purpose of the text influence the translation process?

The audience's knowledge and needs, as well as the text's genre and purpose, play a significant role in deciding the kind of translation produced.

How has the field of translation studies expanded over the years?

The field of translation studies has expanded to incorporate sub-disciplines such as interpreting studies, audio-visual translation studies, corpus-based translation studies, and has moved from linguistics to literary, cultural, and historical studies.

What are some of the new technologies that have changed the field of translation?

New technologies such as multi-modality, computer-assisted translation tools, machine translation, and the use of graphic novels and social media have changed the field of translation.

What are some of the ongoing research questions in translation studies?

Ongoing research questions in translation studies include understanding what translation is, how it can be analyzed, how cultures interact, how translators operate, and how translation operates in different historical circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to Translation and Its Scope

Jeremy Munday, an experienced translator, teacher, and researcher, discusses the multifaceted nature of translation. He explains that at its core, translation involves the written transfer of text from one language to another, but it also encompasses intercultural exchange. The concept of translation has evolved to include various forms of adaptation. Translation studies is the academic discipline that explores these aspects, with a focus on translator training. Key qualities for translators include linguistic proficiency in both the source and target languages, cultural understanding, attention to detail, and knowledge of translation theory. The field of translation studies has broadened to include intra-lingual translation, adaptation of various media, and the study of translation in different contexts, such as power dynamics and identity.

Keywords

💡Translation

Translation is defined in the script as the written transfer of a text from one language to another, but it also encompasses intercultural transfer and contact. This process is central to the video's theme as it highlights the complexity and importance of conveying meaning across different languages and cultures. The speaker elaborates on this by discussing the need for understanding not just the language but also the cultural nuances of the source text.

💡Intercultural Transfer

Intercultural transfer refers to the process of moving concepts, ideas, and expressions from one culture to another, which is a critical aspect of translation. The video emphasizes that translation is not just about language conversion but also about bridging cultural gaps. This is illustrated when the speaker talks about understanding the culture of the original language to accurately translate its nuances.

💡Translation Studies

Translation Studies is presented as the academic discipline that investigates the practice of translation. It is integral to the video's narrative as it sets the stage for a deeper understanding of translation beyond the practical skills. The speaker mentions that this field has broadened to include various types of adaptations and versions, indicating its interdisciplinary nature.

💡Translator Training

Translator training is discussed in the context of the qualities and skills required to become a proficient translator. The video underscores the importance of this training by listing essential qualities such as knowledge of the source and target languages, cultural understanding, and subject-specific expertise. This keyword is central to the video's message about the professional development of translators.

💡Subject-Specific Knowledge

Subject-specific knowledge is the expertise in a particular field that a translator must possess to accurately translate texts on specialized topics. The video mentions this in relation to translating texts about solar panels, where knowing the relevant terminology is crucial. This concept is key to the video's argument that translation requires more than just linguistic skills.

💡Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is highlighted as a vital skill for translators, emphasizing the precision required in writing and the importance of proofreading to avoid errors. The video connects this concept to the quality of the translation, suggesting that meticulousness is essential for producing accurate and reliable translations.

💡Translation Theory

Translation theory provides the frameworks and concepts that guide translators in their work. The video mentions the importance of understanding translation theory to know why certain choices are made during the translation process. This keyword is crucial as it ties the practical aspects of translation to theoretical knowledge.

💡Interveners

Interveners in the context of translation refers to translators as active participants in the communication process, not just as passive conduits of information. The video discusses how translators can introduce bias and how they play a significant role in shaping the message. This concept challenges the traditional view of translators and adds depth to the video's exploration of the translation process.

💡New Technologies

New technologies such as computer-assisted translation tools, machine translation, and multi-modality are mentioned as transformative factors in the field of translation. The video suggests that these advancements are expanding the possibilities and challenges in translation, making it a dynamic and evolving discipline.

💡Interdisciplinary Research

Interdisciplinary research in translation is characterized by the video as a field that spans linguistics, literary studies, cultural studies, sociology, and history. This keyword is central to the video's portrayal of translation as a complex and multifaceted area of study that requires a broad range of knowledge and approaches.

Highlights

Translation is the written transfer of a text from one language to another, involving intercultural transfer and contact.

Translation studies is a discipline that investigates translation, including its adaptation and versions.

To be a translator, one needs to know the source language and its culture, as well as the nuances and connotations of the original text.

A translator requires subject-specific knowledge, especially in technical fields.

Research skills are essential for translators to find terminology and understand concepts outside their expertise.

Attention to detail and precision in writing are crucial for translators.

Translation theory knowledge helps translators understand why they make certain choices.

Translation involves considering the audience, purpose, and genre of the text.

Translation studies has expanded to include intra-lingual translation and adaptations in various media.

The discipline of translation studies now incorporates sub-disciplines like interpreting studies and corpus-based translation studies.

Translation is influenced by factors such as power, identity, and migration.

Translators are not neutral; they can be biased and are active participants in the communication process.

New technologies have introduced multi-modality, computer-assisted translation tools, and machine translation.

Translation studies research is ongoing, exploring questions about translation, culture interaction, and the translator's role.

Translation is an exciting and challenging interdisciplinary research area.

Translation studies research has broadened to include the sociology and history of translation.

The field of translation is expanding, with research in areas like audio-visual translation and social media.

Transcripts

my name is Jeremy Munday and I've worked

in translation for some 20 years but as

a translator as a teacher and as a

researcher there are many definitions of

translation but at its most basic it's

the written transfer of a text from one

language to another but it's also all

about intercultural transfer and contact

and in more recent years the concepts of

translation was broadened to consider

all different types of adaptation and

version translation studies is the

discipline which investigates

translation as far as translator

translator training goes if you want to

be a translator what qualities do you

need there are quality skills and

knowledge which are really crucial you

need to know the source language the

language of the original but also their

culture of the original as well how do

others think in those languages what are

the nuances the connotations behind the

wordings of the original what is the

force of particular choice of words and

expressions or what's left unsaid in the

original a translator needs a subject

specific knowledge as well if you're

translating a text about solar panels

you need to know the terminology in your

language or solar panels and what to do

if you don't know that particular word

how to research it online in particular

groceries databases etc you need to be

brilliant in the language of translating

into into the target language which is

normally your first language but but not

always

you need attention to detail attention

to detail in the precision of your own

writing but also attention to the

proofing the correction of little

mistakes

the gauging of the of the equivalents of

the target text compared to the source

text is the quality there does this mean

what this source text means and is it

possible it can mean the same thing and

you need I would say a knowledge of

translation theory as well to know why

you're doing what you're doing and here

particular concepts come up again

gaining translation studies so the the

audience who in the audience what do

they know what do they need to know in

the text

what's the genre of the text if you're

translating a technical text you may be

translating it very differently compared

to a literary text what's the purpose of

the text and of the translation is it a

publication and or is it just for

information and all of these things play

a important role in deciding of the

kinds of translation you are going to

produce and translation studies research

this is broadened out just as the

definition of translation includes

adaptations so translation studies

research includes intra lingual

translation between two versions of the

same language it includes also different

source of adaptation of film etc and has

expanded the subject the discipline of

translation studies is expanded to

incorporate increasingly sub disciplines

of interpreting studies audio-visual

translation studies corpus based

translation studies it's a growing area

and moving from linguistics to literary

studies to cultural studies the

sociology and history of translation

over the years translation flows why

translation so much is translated from

English and so little relatively into

English the questions of power identity

migration the translator is an

intervener is not as a a transparent

conduit of information but as a as an

interested party in the in the

communication process sometimes biased

the new technologies have changed as

well multi-modality computer-assisted

translation tools machine translation

graphic novels social media so the field

is expanding evermore and research is

ongoing in these different fields all

around specific questions what is

translation how can it be analyzed how

do cultures interact how do transverses

a translator operate and how does

translation operate in different

historical circumstances for me this is

what makes translation and one of the

most exciting activities

and one of the most challenging

interdisciplinary research areas