Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies

10 Training and Pedagogy

Bogusława Whyatt

Objectives

• Introduce the historical perspective on translation training.
• Explain the concept of natural and professional translation.
• Discuss the key concepts in translation pedagogy.
• Present models of translation competence.
• Locate present challenges for translation education.

10.1 Introduction

In today’s world, translation is part and parcel of everyday life. Before we delve into the main topic of this chapter, which is training and pedagogy, it is important to acknowledge that the concept of translation is extremely broad and has many facets. Written translation, conference interpreting (simultaneous, consecutive), sight translation, sign language interpreting, community or public service interpreting, and audio-visual translation (AVT) are only a few examples. Essentially, translation is a means of facilitating communication when two parties need to or want to communicate, either in speech or via written words, but they do not share the same language, either verbal or non-verbal (e.g., sign language). Then they need to use a mediator – a translator or an interpreter who knows the language of each of the parties. The need for professional translation service providers started to grow rapidly from the second half of the 20th century. Translation pedagogy became a platform to search for the best way of training translators and interpreters, and this has remained a key concern of applied translation and interpreting studies (TIS). ...