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Can translation be taught? Thread poster: Raf Uzar
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Raf Uzar
Poland
Local time: 04:25
Polish to English
I take the view that translation CAN be taught and I stand in opposition to those for think it cannot. Yes, it's easier if we have a knack for languages but surely there are tools out there and people who can teach the subject from scratch. I was kin... See more I take the view that translation CAN be taught and I stand in opposition to those for think it cannot. Yes, it's easier if we have a knack for languages but surely there are tools out there and people who can teach the subject from scratch. I was kinda inspired to post these comments by:
http://transubstantiation.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/can-translation-be-taught/
Raf ▲ Collapse
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Brandis (X)
Local time: 04:25
English to German
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| I do not think it can be taught.. | Apr 3, 2009 |
Hi! there is never a solid prescription when it comes to languages. It is like a song and the better it is the greater you are. Hence a lot of exercise and open mindedness would be needed, above all the want of translating is the turning point. BR Brandis
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| I hope it can! | Apr 3, 2009 |
Otherwise I'd have to wonder what students of Translation and Interpretation in Universities all over the world are doing! Maybe they have thrilling pin-ball machines in translation schools out there!!
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EHI (X)
Local time: 04:25
Yes, I think translation can be taught. In fact, I think there is little you cannot learn provided you have the time and are willing to put enough effort into your study.
I was recently reading the book "Genius Explained" by Michael J. A. Howe in which he reveals how the extraordinary capabilities of some people were clearly rooted in the experiences and opportunities that forged their characters and not some kind of mysterious inborn gift.
Very interesting book.
... See more Yes, I think translation can be taught. In fact, I think there is little you cannot learn provided you have the time and are willing to put enough effort into your study.
I was recently reading the book "Genius Explained" by Michael J. A. Howe in which he reveals how the extraordinary capabilities of some people were clearly rooted in the experiences and opportunities that forged their characters and not some kind of mysterious inborn gift.
Very interesting book.
[Edited at 2009-04-03 16:03 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Raf Uzar
Poland
Local time: 04:25
Polish to English
TOPIC STARTER | Pin-ball machines... | Apr 3, 2009 |
Nice one!
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Raf Uzar
Poland
Local time: 04:25
Polish to English
TOPIC STARTER | Genius Explained | Apr 3, 2009 |
Yes, it's a wonderful book and I completely agree with its conclusions.
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Jenn Mercer 
United States
Local time: 22:25
Member (2009)
French to English
| Hey, we didn't have pinball! | Apr 3, 2009 |
I posted a response on the blog page. My opinion is that translation *can* be taught, just as creative writing can, but you need to have some inbuilt aptitude for the subject.
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:25
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:25
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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| Yes, but you need the right foundation | Apr 3, 2009 |
Yes, I think translation can be taught, but only if the right foundation of skills in the source and target language are in place.
PS We didn't have a pinball machine either! Darn!
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Transtextuel
France
Local time: 04:25
English to French
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| Yes, but what are the first skills you need ? | Apr 3, 2009 |
Hello,
I definitely guess translating and interpreting can be taught but... maybe you need a few skills before you start the training ?
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:25
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
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| Learning to translate. | Apr 3, 2009 |
Well, I tend to think that you can just as easily teach another person to translate as you can teach them to write a good book or a poem.
Granted, there are all kinds of things I suppose you can help them with, how to set up their computer, find dictionaries, invoice their prospective clients, etc. But how many of your favourite writers mention their creative writing class back in high-school when reminiscing about how they came to become a good writer?
I suspect tran... See more Well, I tend to think that you can just as easily teach another person to translate as you can teach them to write a good book or a poem.
Granted, there are all kinds of things I suppose you can help them with, how to set up their computer, find dictionaries, invoice their prospective clients, etc. But how many of your favourite writers mention their creative writing class back in high-school when reminiscing about how they came to become a good writer?
I suspect translation can be taught, but then not by another person. That is, you have to teach yourself. And, I agree with what several others have already said here, you of course also need to possess the aptitude (luck) with regard to your source and target languages.
You mention Howe’s book, ‘Genius Explained,’ ‘in which [the author] reveals how the extraordinary capabilities of some people were clearly rooted in the experiences and opportunities that forged their characters and not some kind of mysterious inborn gift’. To me however, this statement would actually rather tend to say the opposite: that is, that it is not something that can be taught (in say a classroom), because it is something that you need to grow into, over time. ‘[T]he experiences and opportunities that forged their characters,’ – these are not things that someone can teach you; they are things that only life can teach you.
Again though, that’s not to say that translation cannot be learned. ▲ Collapse
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Anne-Marie Grant (X)
Local time: 03:25
French to English
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| It can be taught | Apr 3, 2009 |
to those who have the requisite aptitude and interest.
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Steve Thomasson
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:25
Member (2012)
German to English
| It's not just teaching in a sense of... | Apr 3, 2009 |
...a "teacher" and a "pupil", there are times where the "pupil" has to take responsibility for his / her own learning.
Someone wrote a description of their years at my old secondary school and their final line was so striking I haven't forgotten it even though it must have been six years ago when I saw it.
"You are not in school to learn about maths or English. You are in school to learn how to learn. Get that lesson nailed down and you can teach yourself almost anythi... See more ...a "teacher" and a "pupil", there are times where the "pupil" has to take responsibility for his / her own learning.
Someone wrote a description of their years at my old secondary school and their final line was so striking I haven't forgotten it even though it must have been six years ago when I saw it.
"You are not in school to learn about maths or English. You are in school to learn how to learn. Get that lesson nailed down and you can teach yourself almost anything".
I guess that puts me squarely with AMG here.
[Edited at 2009-04-03 22:10 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 04:25
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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Raf Uzar wrote:
I take the view that translation CAN be taught and I stand in opposition to those for think it cannot.
I haven't read your cited article, but my opinion is that it can be taught. What is important, however, is to figure out what mental skills are required for it, and then separate those with those skills from those that don't have those skills. For those with the skills, it's easy. For those without, it's rote or bust. And the rote learners will never be as good as the good ones with skill, although they will be better than ones with skill who never learnt anything. Do I make sense?
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