Training Translators: From General Requirements to Particular Approaches

Abstract

This article deals with some aspects of teaching translation. This question has not received much attention not only in Ukraine, but in Translation Studies as a whole. The present study illustrates how linguistic and cultural divergences between source and target texts complicate the process of translation. The paper also investigates the concept of translator's competence and emphasises the main professional skills of a good translator. The author analyses the most evident challenges of translation process, which are likely to provide a small clue for better teaching translation and provides some references to didactic approaches of the translation process, suggested by different authors. The article is composed of four main parts. The first part regards to the representation of the role of translator nowadays, as well as the complexity of the translation process. The second part briefly examines some translation difficulties, caused by linguistic and cultural differences between source and target texts. Linguistic and cultural divergences between French and Ukrainian texts are studied on the material of translation into Ukrainian "In search of a lost time" by M. Proust. The third part is a brief overview of translator's competence. The article states that translator's competence consists of different subcompetences, namely: linguistic, extra-linguistic, translation sub-competence and psycho-physiological one. The fourth part focuses on some approaches to translators' training. Methods and activities recommended by professionals engaged in the education of future translators are described.Keywords: training translation; translation difficulties; linguistic differences; cultural differences; translator's competence; didactic approaches. IntroductionThe increased need for translation is indisputable nowadays responding to the demands of modern civilisation and period of world globalisation. From the ancient Egypt, where for the first time the interpreters were mentioned, translation remains an important means of bilingual ∕ multi-lingual and crosscultural communication among people from different linguo-cultural areas. Metaphoric comparison of translation to "the window to another world" by A. Fedorov (1983) is relevant at this time because of the cognitive function of translation. This function facilitates cultural, technological, scientific circulation of information and assists the progress of intercultural interaction. Besides, literary translation plays an important role in the development of target literature and culture. The style and genre evolution is due to the translation, as well as borrowing of different expression means.The importance of translation in modern society highlights the crucial role of the translator as languages, cultures and nations mediator. Thereby, while training future translators, we should take into consideration not only foreign language(s) learning, but also cultural competence acquisition, translation strategies and procedure as well. Moreover, while training translators, we s...