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Lecturer(s)
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Pálušová Martina, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course introduces students to the basic principles of translation criticism and to methods of professional assessment of translated texts. Attention is paid to the relationship between source and target texts, the function of translation, genre and stylistic specificities, translation strategies, cultural references, language norms, and the acceptability of translation shifts. The seminar is primarily practical in focus. Students analyse published translation reviews and critical texts, examining their structure, argumentation, use of examples, and formulation of evaluative conclusions. Using specific examples, they discuss what constitutes functional and professionally grounded criticism, as well as which approaches should be avoided, such as overly subjective evaluation, insufficient argumentation, or isolated assessment of individual solutions without regard to the text as a whole. In the practical part of the course, students prepare their own critical texts on recent translations from Russian or into Russian. The main focus is usually on literary texts, but specialised, journalistic, or audiovisual translations may also be included depending on the focus of the seminar. The resulting texts are discussed, commented on, and revised in class.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
- Semestral Work
- 25 hours per semester
- Homework for Teaching
- 25 hours per semester
- Attendace
- 25 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles of translation criticism and to develop their ability to evaluate translated texts in a professional, factual, and well-argued manner. The course is designed as a practical seminar in which students analyse existing translation reviews and criticism, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and gradually acquire basic methods of translation assessment. Emphasis is placed on the ability to assess translation in the broader context of the source and target texts, genre, function, target readership, and translation strategy. Students will learn to distinguish between subjective evaluation and professionally substantiated criticism and will be guided towards formulating their own critical texts focusing primarily on translations from Russian or into Russian.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyse a translated text and assess its quality with regard to the source text, genre, function, style, target readership, and translation purpose. They will be able to identify basic types of translation problems and errors, distinguish between linguistic, stylistic, semantic, cultural, and functional levels of assessment, and formulate factual and well-supported conclusions. Students will be familiar with the basic principles and forms of translation criticism, able to analyse existing critical texts, and able to write their own translation criticism. They will be able to support their evaluation with specific textual evidence and avoid unsupported, purely subjective, or overly normative judgements.
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Prerequisites
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A very good command of Czech and Russian, the ability to work with both source and target texts, and basic familiarity with translation-related issues are expected. Experience with literary, specialised, or audiovisual translation is an advantage but is not required.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Student performance, Final project
Active participation in seminars with maximum two absences and continuous completion of assigned tasks. Students will read and analyse selected translation reviews and criticism, work with source and target texts, prepare partial analyses, and take part in seminar discussions. The requirements include the preparation of the student's own translation criticism of a text translated from Russian or into Russian, based on an assigned or approved text. The course is completed by obtaining a course-unit credit awarded on the basis of active participation, completion of continuous assignments, and submission of the final critical text.
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Recommended literature
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HOUSE, Juliane. (2015). Translation Quality Assessment: Past and Present.. London.
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Hrdlička, M. (2004). Antologie teorie uměleckého překladu. Ostrava.
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Knittlová, D. (2010). Překlad a překládání. Olomouc.
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Levý, J. (1998). Umění překladu. Praha.
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REISS, Katharina. (2000). Translation Criticism: The Potentials and Limitations.. London.
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Vízdalová, A. (1997). Na stezkách kritického žánru. Praha.
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