LECTURE 1 Translation communication and critical thinking

LECTURE 1 Translation communication and critical thinking

THE COURSE IS AIMED AT studying communicative and cognitive aspects of translation. Translation as problem solving. The role of interpretation in the translation process. The translator’s point of view.

Tuning project • The principles of assessment of generic competences (University of Deusto) Instrumental Analytical, systemic, critical, creative, reflective, analogical, practical, deliberative, team thinking

CT is difficult to define and to measure • “critical thinking is self-directed thinking and a self-monitored process that requires effective problem solving abilities” (Epas/Colby, 2009) • It’s the ability of the translator to question, reason, and consider alternative perspectives and evaluate their own biases, values, claims, and belief systems (based on Huff, 2000, cited in Anderson, 2011).

G. Watson and E. Glaser (1980) six critical thinking abilities • define a problem • select relevant information for the solution • recognize assumptions • formulate hypotheses • draw conclusions • judge the validity of inferences

Critical, creative, reflective thinking • critical thinking is sometimes called convergent, logical, or deductive thinking. It is also characterized as reflective thinking, i. e. the one aimed at self-assessment (Hassel, 2004).

3 stages in the process of translation N. Kashirina, N. M. Shutova pre-translation source text analysis translation itself post translation self-assessment/editing

Critical thinking A cognitive skill providing an ability to analyze the ST from different angles inclusively of linguistic, extralinguistic and pragmatic aspects, as well as an ability to evaluate TT as to the degree of its adequacy in relation to ST and particular conditions of the given instance of translation.

Creative thinking (N. Kashirina): A cognitive skill providing ability to consolidate all the necessary theoretical (structured and non-structured, conscious and intuitive) knowledge as well as practical skills in order to synthesize a TT adequate in relation to ST.

Reflective thinking A cognitive skill aimed at TT evaluation and correction, as well as the translator’s self-assessment activities aimed at the translation production and its quality improvement.

DEDUCTIVE AND INDUCTIVE THINKING SKILLS Deductive thinking competence is referred to as topdown reasoning. Deductive thinking proceeds from general ideas to a specific conclusion. Inductive thinking competence is referred to as bottom-up reasoning. Inductive thinking proceeds from specific ideas to a general conclusion.