The Translation Syllabus

1
The Translation Syllabus

• Ian Mason
• Heriot Watt University

2
Surveys of course design in European Universities

• Under-researched
• Variety of practice
• Underlying principles?

3
Question for discussion

• Given a course lasting 20 weeks, one session per
  week,
• How could we structure the syllabus?
• What are the different kinds of themes, topics,
  etc. we could try to cover?
• Selection, grading, presentation of materials?
• for example

4
The Grammatical Model

• Translating noun phrases
• Translating verbs and tense
• Translating questions
• Translating conditional sentences
• Etc.

5
The Cultural Model

• Ecology
• Flora, fauna, topography, climate, etc.
• Material culture
• Food, clothes, buildings, transport, etc.
• Social culture
• Professions, trades, social behaviour, etc.
• Social organisation
• Political, administrative, religious, history
• Custom
• Gesture, habit, folk beliefs, etc.
• (adapted from Newmark 1988)

6
The Interpretive Model

• Text analysis
• Translating cohesion
• Translating coherence
• Translating register (field, mode, tenor)
• Translating authors perspective
• Etc.

7
(No Transcript)
8
Topic as an organising principle

• Social services
• Education
• Government and politics
• Law
• Science and technology
• Art and culture

9
Genre as an organising principle

• Patents, contracts, legislation
• Abstracts
• Reports
• Business
• News
• Critical reviews
• Advertising
• Slogans
• Promotional literature
• Creative literature etc.

10
Text type as an organising principle

• Rhetorical function
• To narrate, to describe, to argue
• Texts are hybrid
• Dominant rhetorical function
• Plans towards goals
• Text-type focus determines structure
• Structure organises texture
• These socio-textual practices are cultural

11
Text Type versus Genre

• Same text type found across a variety of genres
• e.g. argument in editorials, academic articles,
  advertising, etc.
• Certain genres attract certain text types
• e.g. instruction in legal contracts
• So, text type and genre can be combined in the
  syllabus

12
Text types

• Dominant rhetorical focus
• Narration (focus on organisation of events in
  time)
• Description (focus on organisation of objects in
  space)
• Exposition (analysis and synthesis of concepts)
• Argumentation (focus on evaluation)
• Instruction (focus on future behaviour)

13
A Text Typology (Hatim Mason 1990)
14
A Text Typology (Hatim Mason 1990)
15
A Text Typology (Hatim Mason 1990)
16
Rationale for a text-type syllabus

• Different text types place different demands on
  the translator.
• Main distinguishing features degree of
  evaluativeness.
• Ability to perceive dominant rhetorical focus
  assists translator in decision making at lower
  levels.

17
English-Arabic/Arabic-English Translation. A
Practical GuideB.Hatim (1997)

• Translating legal texts
• The Preamble, The Legal Article, etc.
• Translating detached exposition
• The Summary, The Abstract, The Report (detached),
  The News Report (less detached).
• Translating argumentation
• Through-argument, Counter-argument, The
  suppressed counter-argument.

18
Illustrations

• Instruction without option
• Regulation shall/will
• Scope any pursuant to specified in
  subject to in the event of except for
  provided that
• Specification inherent in political and
  constitutional, inclusive of and including
  general or particular contained in or
  endorsed on by payment or.. by reinstatement
  or repair

19
Instruction with option

• Purpose to prevent make sure to prevent
  store To store cover To make melt
  To make stir To serve, carve
• Order Before read Handle until Cook
  until then and Next.
• Advice can be used would go well is
  recommended.

20
Argumentation

• The counter-argument
• (Tone- setter) The countrys troubles
• Thesis cited (to be opposed) Algerias
  strengths
• (Substantiation) children, investment, etc.
• Opposition These strengths are being wasted
• (Substantiation) jobs currency
• (Conclusion)

21
Argumentation

• Highly evaluative argument maximum translator
  intervention, e.g.
• Promotional text for a restaurant
• ST Lovers of the flavours and colours of the
  South will adore.
• TT If you like the flavours and colours of the
  South, its just the place for you.

22
Translator mediation register adjustment

• Promotional text for Champagne
• Personalisation you
• Word order When you are choosing
• Lexical choice idem gt the same thing
  carbonic gas gt bottle fermentation
• Syntax, nouns to verbs the mode of cooking gt
  the way the dish is prepared spontaneity gt
  make a spontaneous choice

23
The Interpreting Syllabus

• Some general principles

24
Processing focus

• SIMULTANEOUS
• Limited access to context and structure
• Focus on texture
• CONSECUTIVE
• Note-taking
• Focus on structure
• LIAISON (DIALOGUE)
• Face-to-face
• Focus on context

25
Dialogue Interpreting

• Spontaneous speech
• Dominant text type focus does not apply.
• Progression by type of event

26
Progression from to Evaluative

• The Question- and-Answer Session
• Police interrogation courtroom examination
• The Interview
• Media interviews press conference cultural
  events, etc.
• The Debate
• Exchange of views argument
• The Negotiation
• Business meetings diplomacy