TL;DR - Defining Translation Studies
Translation Studies is an emerging empirical discipline focused on understanding the phenomena of translating and translation. It aims to describe these phenomena and establish principles for explanation and prediction. The field is broadly divided into two main branches:
- Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS): Observes and analyzes existing translations, their function in society, and the translation process itself. It includes product-oriented, function-oriented, and process-oriented research.
- Theoretical Translation Studies (ThTS): Develops theories and models to explain and predict translation phenomena, ultimately striving for a comprehensive "General Translation Theory."
The term "Translation Studies" is preferred for its inclusive nature, recognizing the discipline's place among humanities and arts rather than solely hard sciences.
Introduction: Unpacking What is Translation Studies
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Defining Translation Studies! If you're a student embarking on the exciting journey of understanding translation, you've come to the right place. This article will break down what this fascinating and evolving academic field is all about, exploring its scope, key branches, and why its name, "Translation Studies," is so fitting.
This discipline is vital for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of cross-cultural communication and the role of translators in shaping our world. Let's dive into its core concepts and structure.
What Exactly Are Translation Studies? An Empirical Discipline
At its core, Translation Studies is an empirical discipline dedicated to the rigorous examination of translating and translation. This field seeks to understand how translations are created, how they function, and their impact on societies. It's a field driven by observation and systematic investigation.
According to Werner Koller (1971:4), "Translation studies is to be understood as a collective and inclusive designation for all research activities taking the phenomena of translation and translating as their basis or focus." This broad definition highlights its comprehensive nature. As an empirical discipline, Translation Studies has two major objectives, as articulated by Carl G. Hempel (1967:1):
- To describe particular phenomena (in this case, translating and translations) in the world of our experience.
- To establish general principles by which these phenomena can be explained and predicted.
Navigating the Naming Debate: Why "Translation Studies" Wins
The journey to a widely accepted name for this discipline hasn't been straightforward. Historically, various terms like "the art" or "the craft" of translation, "principles" or "philosophy" of translation were used. Even more "learned" terms appeared, such as "translatology" or "traductologie," though these were often rejected by purists due to mixed etymological roots.
Terms like "translation theory" and "science of translation" (or Übersetzungswissenschaft in German) also gained traction. However, "translation theory" was seen as too restrictive, failing to encompass all valuable research. "Science of translation" faced criticism because, while the field is scientific in its rigor (Wissenschaft in German), it doesn't align with the precision, formalization, and paradigm formation expected of hard sciences like physics or chemistry.
It fits better alongside disciplines like sociology, history, philosophy, or literary studies. The term "Translation Studies" emerged as the most appropriate designation in English. It aligns with other interdisciplinary fields within the humanities and arts, such as "Russian studies" or "communication studies." Adopting this standard term helps to clarify the discipline's nature and reduce confusion.
The Two Pillars: Branches of Pure Translation Studies
Pure Translation Studies, pursued for its own sake rather than direct practical application, is divided into two main branches: Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS) and Theoretical Translation Studies (ThTS). These branches work together to advance our understanding of translation.
Delving Deeper: Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS) Explained
Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS) focuses on describing actual translation phenomena as they manifest in the world. It maintains the closest contact with empirical data. DTS itself is categorized into three major kinds of research:
Product-Oriented DTS: Unpacking Translations Themselves
This area describes existing translations, examining the translated texts as products. It starts with:
- Description of individual translations: A text-focused analysis.
- Comparative translation description: Analyzing various translations of the same text across languages or within one language.
These individual and comparative studies then provide material for surveys of larger collections, or corpuses, of translations. Examples include seventeenth-century literary translations into French or medieval English Bible translations. Ultimately, a grand goal of product-oriented DTS is to contribute to a general history of translation.
Function-Oriented DTS: Translations in Context and Society
Rather than focusing on the translations themselves, function-oriented DTS investigates their role and impact within the recipient socio-cultural situation. This means studying contexts more than texts. Researchers in this area ask questions such as:
- Which texts were (and weren't) translated at a specific time and place?
- What influences were exerted as a consequence of these translation choices?
Greater emphasis on this area could lead to the development of "translation sociology" or "socio-translation studies." This branch highlights the societal relevance of translation choices.
Process-Oriented DTS: The Translator's "Black Box" and Cognitive Processes
This branch concerns itself with the actual process or act of translation. It seeks to understand what goes on inside the translator's mind — often referred to as the "little black box" — as they create a new text in another language. This is an incredibly complex process, described by I. A. Richards (1953) as "very probably the most complex type of event yet produced in the evolution of the cosmos."
While much speculation has occurred, there has been little systematic investigation under laboratory conditions. However, with psychologists developing sophisticated methods for analyzing complex mental processes, there's hope for future studies. This could lead to a specialized area called "translation psychology" or "psycho-translation studies."
Theoretical Translation Studies (ThTS): Building the Frameworks and Models
Theoretical Translation Studies, or translation theory, represents the other main branch of pure translation studies. It doesn't describe existing translations directly but uses the insights gained from descriptive studies. ThTS combines these empirical results with information from related fields to:
- Evolve principles.
- Develop theories.
- Create models.
These frameworks aim to explain and predict what translating and translations are and will be. The ultimate aspiration of theoretical translation studies is to develop a General Translation Theory — a full, inclusive, highly formalized, and complex theory that can explain and predict all phenomena within the realm of translating and translation.
Overcoming Hurdles: The Path Forward for Translation Studies
Like any emerging discipline, Translation Studies faces its challenges. Beyond the initial struggles with a clear designation, the field also grapples with a lack of generally accepted channels of communication. Research often remains dispersed across various older disciplines and journals. Moreover, there's an ongoing need for greater consensus on the exact scope and structure of the discipline itself. Addressing these impediments is crucial for the continued growth and recognition of Translation Studies as a vital academic field.
Conclusion: Your Guide to Understanding Translation Studies
Defining Translation Studies reveals a dynamic and multi-faceted empirical discipline. By exploring its descriptive and theoretical branches—product-oriented, function-oriented, and process-oriented DTS, alongside the pursuit of a General Translation Theory—students can grasp the breadth and depth of this field. Understanding these foundational aspects is key to appreciating the complex world of translation and its profound impact on communication and culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Translation Studies
What is the primary focus of Translation Studies?
Translation Studies primarily focuses on describing the phenomena of translating and translation, and establishing general principles to explain and predict them. It investigates both the practical aspects of translation and the theoretical frameworks that govern it.
Why is "Translation Studies" the preferred term?
"Translation Studies" is preferred because it accurately reflects the discipline's nature as an interdisciplinary field within the humanities and arts, similar to other "studies" disciplines. It avoids the narrowness of "translation theory" and the potentially misleading implications of "science of translation" when compared to hard sciences.
What are the three types of Descriptive Translation Studies?
The three types of Descriptive Translation Studies (DTS) are: product-oriented DTS (describing existing translations), function-oriented DTS (describing translations' role in socio-cultural contexts), and process-oriented DTS (investigating the act of translation itself).
What is the ultimate goal of Theoretical Translation Studies?
The ultimate goal of Theoretical Translation Studies (ThTS) is to develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and highly formalized "General Translation Theory." This theory would explain and predict all phenomena related to translating and translation.
Is Translation Studies considered a "science"?
While Translation Studies is a rigorous academic field (Wissenschaft in German), it is not typically considered a "science" in the English sense of disciplines like physics or chemistry. Instead, it aligns more closely with fields such as sociology, history, or literary studies, falling under the humanities or arts.