This document provides an overview of translation studies for an intermediate Spanish language course. It defines translation as expressing the meaning of written or spoken content in another language. Translation can occur between languages, within one language, or from non-verbal to verbal forms. There are different types of translation including word-for-word, literal, balanced/idiomatic, and free translation. The final objective is for students to independently translate Spanish texts to English, including self-editing for accuracy in translation and grammar.

1. Translation Studies
for
Intermediate
Spanish Language Courses
SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR LANGUAGE
Compiled by Mrs. J. Vaughn & Dr. R. Baker

2. Final Objective
To be able to work autonomously in the
task of rendering an accurate English
translation of a given Spanish text. To
include authoring, self critiquing for
errors in translation and English
grammar, as well as, correctly
modifying and revising to improve the
quality and accuracy of the translation.

3. What is the definition of TRANSLATION?
Translation n.
1 the act or an instance of translating.
2 a written or spoken expression of the
meaning of a word, speech, book, etc. in
another language.
(The Concise Oxford English Dictionary)

4. Translation is an idea that can be
understood in many different ways.
Translation is a process of decoding and
recoding
to create a product.

5. Translation has sub-types:
Form
INTRALINGUAL
(within the same language, often more of a gist)
Police officer says to driver:
“There has been a collision involving a truck. Turn left onto
Mary Street and follow the detour signs to bypass the
accident.”
Driver says to passenger:
“There’s an accident. We have to take the next left to go
around it.”

6. Interlingual
(between languages)
i.e. Spanish to English

7. Intersemiotic
(non-verbal language to verbal language)
“go”

8. • Written texts
• Literary (novels, plays)
• Technical (manuals, instructions)
• Legal (contracts)
• Medical, Scientific & Pharmaceutical (specialized)
• Audiovisual
Subtitling, dubbing
Translation has sub-types:
Type

9. Translation has sub-types:
Type
> Word-for-Word
> Literal
> Balanced (idiomatic)
> Free
> Gist

10. Balanced IdiomaticTranslation
• Respect the author’s intentions.
Use the style given.
Express the thoughts of someone else,
using that person’s style and words.
Use the words provided—don’t be too free
in your decision about English
equivalents.
• Preserve the content, sense & format.
Don’t add information that is not in the text.
• Design for your audience.
When you create a translation,
what are your objectives?