Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies

11 Translation Process Research and Methods

Sonia Vandepitte

Objectives

• Learn that the translation process is a broad notion is investigated by different branches of translation studies (cultural and sociological, linguistic, cognitive, and technological).
• Understand a large set of methodological tools and their advantages and disadvantages.
• Explore some basic theoretical models about the translation process.
• Engage with and reflect on translation processes.

11.1 Introduction

The final chapter in this book focuses on the written interlingual modality only, which does not imply that the interpreting process would be less relevant. Processes, however, are fairly complex phenomena, and it is just simpler to start investigating one very specific main type of mediation between people. Although a close study of a translation product may indeed resemble taking a picture of the target text (TT) and measuring all its features, which are then related to its context, the study of the translation process can be compared to shooting a film of the development of a new object created by human beings. In its broad sense, a study of the translation process therefore covers the description and explanation of all activities that are consciously or unconsciously carried out to arrive a translation that is read by and may have an impact on its target audience. It thus covers the moment when one person initiates a translation project; the time when the translator entertains initial thoughts on ...