Bridging the gap: Translation practice and theory in the workplace

Abstract

Translation theory is often considered abstruse and irrelevant by students and professional translators alike. Yet, theory is taught on university translation studies programs throughout the world. This is because theoretical models in translation studies, as in other cogent fields, are grounded in the analysis of practice. The problem is that the connection between practice and theory is not immediately obvious. To address this problem, the proposed ‘bridging the gap’ project puts forward an innovative approach that places learners on the course LT4380 Theory of Translation in a workplace scenario where they have to commission and produce a translation. This real-life, practical, professional exercise will serve as the basis for a reflective, theoretical, academic essay. The combination of practice and theory in this manner will enable students to discover connections between translation in the professional world and academic studies. It will also enable them to create their own empirical evidence-based theories of translation.