Admission requirements
This course is open only to students registered for the Translation in Theory and Practice specialization.
Description
We do not know for sure how long translators have been around. What we do know is that the earliest available evidence of translation activity is a translation of an Egyptian hieroglyphic text into Hittite cuneiform, which goes back to 1270 BC. It is quite probable that this first translator already asked himself the question: what is translation? (this is a question that we still have not answered today). And translation theory was born. For a long time, translators have wondered about the best approach to translation. Does one religiously stick to the source text – respecting its grammar and style and convention – and try to render this in the target text? Or does the translator have a large degree of freedom? In other words, does one translate literally or freely, and what then do literally and freely mean? Is translation a skill, something that can be learnt? Or is it an art form, requiring more inspiration than perspiration? What can translation theory teach us – if anything? These are some of the questions that we will explore in this course by turning to a number of canonical texts in translation theory and by trying to apply translation theory to translation practice. Special attention will be given to what translation theory can contribute to legal and literary translation, the two areas of translation in which Leiden specializes.
Course objectives
Knowledge and understanding areas of translation theory that may be of use to the translator of literary texts.
Ability to assess the value of translation theories and to critically apply these theories to translation problems.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Course Load
time spent on attending lectures and seminars: 26 hours
time for studying the compulsory literature: 104 hours
time to prepare for class paper write a paper (including reading/research): 150 hours
Assessment Method
Class participation (including class paper) 20%
Written assignments 80%
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Naaijkens, T., C. Koster, H. Bloemen and C. Meijer (2010), eds., Denken over Vertalen: Tekstboek Vertaalwetenschap, Nijmegen: Vantilt, 2nd or later edition.
Reading materials to be made available on Blackboard.
Students are expected to be in possession of the course book prescribed for the BA Course Introduction to Translation Studies:
- Munday, Jeremy. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. London/New York: Routledge. 3rd or later edition
Registration
Students should register through uSis. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration via Studeren à la carte
Registration via Contractonderwijs
Contact
MA Linguistics departmental office, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; ma-linguistics@hum.leidenuniv.nl.