Eng. 609 Week 6 - Blog 1

Venuti’s translation studies explication is my first introduction to the topic. I found the subject fascinating. Venuti claims translation studies is void of composition studies in-house fighting? I wonder if the cause is related to the number of translation scholars and instructors versus the number of composition scholars and instructors? In other words, the bigger a system grows (comp. is comparatively huge), the more difficult to find consensus and balance…

Lawrence Venuti, in “Translation Studies” (2005), asserts that text translation is affected by three main categories or theoretical perspectives: equivalence and shifts (meaning changes in textual denotation and connotation), cultural systems and norms (the cultures texts are translated from and into), and ethics and politics (just how much should be shifted, if any, for a particular cultures’ sensibilities?). Venuti supports his thesis with examples of each category and the prominent writer or theoretician responsible for the theories underpinnings. Venuti’s intention is to formulate an explication of the current state of translational studies. Venuti accomplishes his goal and creates a trusting relationship with his audience of graduate students immersed in English studies through his obvious mastery of the subject.