Political Translation

Description

Course Description:

This 12-week course explores the theory and practice of political translation, focusing on the translation of political texts, speeches, treaties, and other politically charged materials. Students will engage with translation challenges arising from the cultural, ideological, and historical nuances embedded in political discourse. The course also examines how translation can be used as a tool for both diplomacy and propaganda, as well as the ethical considerations involved in translating politically sensitive content.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the challenges and strategies involved in translating political texts.
• Analyze the role of ideology, culture, and power in political translation.
• Develop skills in translating political speeches, treaties, legal texts, and propaganda.
• Explore the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities of translators working in political contexts.
• Investigate how translation can influence political discourse and international relations.

Weekly Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to Political Translation

• Overview of the course objectives and structure.
• Definition and scope of political translation.
• Key concepts: power, ideology, and language in political contexts.
• Discussion: The role of translators in political communication and diplomacy.
• Reading: Selected articles on the theory of political translation.

Week 2: Translation and Ideology

• Exploring how ideology shapes political texts.
• Translating ideologically charged language and concepts.
• Case studies: Translation of political manifestos or speeches (e.g., Marx, Mao, or modern political figures).
• Practice: Translating excerpts from political texts with strong ideological content.

Week 3: Cultural Nuances and Political Translation

• The role of cultural context in political discourse.
• Handling culturally specific references, idioms, and metaphors in political texts.
• Case studies: Translation challenges in international treaties or speeches with cross-cultural audiences.
• Practice: Translating culturally nuanced political speeches or texts.

Week 4: Legal and Diplomatic Texts

• Understanding the structure and language of legal and diplomatic documents.
• Techniques for translating legal jargon and diplomatic formalities.
• Case studies: Translating sections from international treaties, UN resolutions, or diplomatic correspondence.
• Practice: Translating legal and diplomatic excerpts.

Week 5: Political Rhetoric and Speeches

• Analyzing the rhetoric of political speeches (e.g., persuasive language, emotional appeal).
• Strategies for translating tone, emphasis, and rhetorical devices.
• Case studies: Famous political speeches (e.g., speeches by Churchill, Mandela, or Obama).
• Practice: Translating and analyzing political speeches.

Week 6: Propaganda and Political Messaging

• Definition and history of propaganda in political discourse.
• Identifying propaganda techniques in text (e.g., loaded language, emotional appeals, and misinformation).
• Translating political propaganda with ethical considerations.
• Case studies: Political propaganda from various historical and cultural contexts.
• Practice: Translating politically charged media content (ads, posters, or speeches).

Week 7: Censorship, Manipulation, and Translation

• The role of censorship in political translation.
• How translation can be used to manipulate political messages.
• Ethical dilemmas: Should translators remain faithful to the source or adapt to target audience expectations?
• Case studies: Politically sensitive translations under authoritarian regimes.
• Practice: Translating censored or manipulated political texts.

Week 8: Political Translation in Conflict Zones

• Challenges of translating political discourse in conflict or post-conflict regions.
• The role of translation in peace processes, negotiations, and conflict resolution.
• Case studies: Translating during political conflicts (e.g., Middle East, post-colonial Africa, or the Balkans).
• Practice: Translating texts from conflict zones, considering both local and international perspectives.

Week 9: Media and Political Translation

• The role of media in shaping and translating political narratives.
• Translating political news, interviews, and debates.
• Case studies: Translation in global media networks (e.g., Al Jazeera, BBC World Service).
• Practice: Translating political news articles, media reports, or interviews.

Week 10: Translation and International Relations

• The impact of translation on diplomatic and international relations.
• How translations of political texts can influence international perceptions and policies.
• Case studies: Translation of diplomatic documents and media coverage in global crises (e.g., G7 Summits, UN negotiations).
• Practice: Translating documents and statements related to international diplomacy.

Week 11: Ethical Issues in Political Translation

• The translator’s responsibility in politically charged contexts.
• Ethical considerations: neutrality, bias, and intervention.
• Case studies: Ethical dilemmas faced by translators in international organizations (e.g., NGOs, UN, EU).
• Practice: Analyzing ethical decisions in the translation of political texts.

Week 12: Final Project and Review

• Review of key concepts from the course.
• Presentation and discussion of final translation projects.
• Final project: Students will choose a political text (e.g., speech, treaty, media article) to translate and provide a commentary on the challenges and decisions made during the translation process.
• Course reflection and feedback session.

Assessment Methods:

• Weekly translation assignments and class discussions.
• Mid-term written assignment (translation and commentary on a political text).
• Final translation project (with a detailed analysis of translation choices and challenges).
• Participation in class debates on ethical and ideological issues in political translation.

Recommended Texts and Resources:

• Books:
  • Apter, Emily. The Translation Zone: A New Comparative Literature.
  • Venuti, Lawrence. The Translator’s Invisibility: A History of Translation.
  • Schäffner, Christina. Political Discourse, Media and Translation.
• Articles:
  • Selected journal articles on political translation, international relations, and ethics in translation.
  • Case studies of historical and contemporary political translations.
• Online Resources:
  • Access to international political texts (speeches, treaties, legal documents) through online databases (e.g., UN, EU, governmental archives).

Final Project:

Students will select a political text (such as a famous speech, diplomatic document, or political article) to translate. They will submit both the translated text and a critical commentary explaining their translation choices, strategies, and the challenges they encountered, considering ethical and ideological implications.