Admission requirements
Students should be sufficiently proficient in English and Dutch. This course is part of the minor Translation and cannot be taken separately.
Description
‘Beautiful translations are like beautiful women, that is to say, they are not always the most faithful ones.’ Whatever one might think about this tongue in cheek comparison between beautiful women and beautiful translations by the British literary critic and cultural philosopher George Steiner, this quotation may serve as an illustration of the debate on free versus literal translations that has dominated the world of translation for centuries. Translation theorists, critics and, of course, translators themselves have been occupied with the problem of whether a translator should translate literally or freely. But what do we actually understand by literal and free translations? This is just one of the many fascinating questions that we will be discussing throughout the course. The course covers a wide range of issues and debates in translation studies and aims to provide students with an overview of the history of translation studies, different translation theories and various approaches to translating. Some translators claim that they do not need to know anything about translation studies or theories, just as you do not need to know anything about an engine to be able to drive a car. On the other hand, one might argue that if translators are more aware of the different choices they have when making a translation – whether it be a novel, a poem or a legal document – they will be able to produce a better translation. That is why this course does not only focus on translation theory as such; in tutorials, we will also apply various methods and approaches to different texts.
Course objectives
Course objective 1: knowledge of the most important translation theories and areas of applied translation studies
Course objective 2: ability to critically reflect on different translation theories
Course objective 3: ability to apply the methods and strategies discussed in some of these theories
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Course Load
The course load of this course is 140 hours.
28 hours: attending seminars;
56 hours: studying the compulsory literature;
56 hours: preparation for the exam and assignments (including reading / research).
Assessment method
written examination including essay questions (60%)
written assignment (40%)
A minimum of a 5.0 for each component needs to be obtained.
Attendance is compulsory. Unauthorized absence will mean that you cannot take part in the relevant exam(s).
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Reader An Introduction to Translation Studies. Blackboard
Munday, Jeremy. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications (2012). London/New York: Routledge. (3rd edition)
Registration
Students should register through uSis. Exchange students cannot register through uSis, but must see the coordinator of studies and register with her. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Studeren à la carte.
Contractonderwijs.
Contact
English Language and Culture student administration, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; mail: osz-oa-eyckhof@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Coordinator of studies: Ms T.D. Obbens, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C.