Explorando as Teorias da Tradução apresenta uma análise abrangente dos paradigmas contemporâneos principais da teoria da tradução ocidental. O livro começa com uma pesquisa sobre as abordagens linguísticas clássicas do século XX antes de prosseguir para os modelos mais recentes, como o de tradução cultural. Um a um, abordam-se os paradigmas centrais e as teorias a eles associadas, incluindo as da equivalência, do propósito, a descritivista, da incerteza, a localização e a tradução cultural. Os leitores são encorajados a explorar as várias teorias e a ponderar acerca de seus pontos fortes e fracos e das implicações dessas teorias para a prática da tradução, hoje e no futuro. O livro conclui com uma pesquisa sobre a forma pela qual a tradução é usada como um modelo de estudos culturais e sociológicos pós-modernos, o que estende seu escopo bem além das noções ocidentais. Cada capítulo inclui recursos, como: - Uma introdução, que destaca os principais pontos de cada teoria e seus conceitos-chave, com exemplos ilustrativos; - Exemplos extraídos de uma ampla gama de idiomas - apesar de não ser necessário o conhecimento de nenhuma outra língua além do português; - Discussão de pontos principais e sugestões de atividades; - O resumo, alguns pontos para discussão e exercícios. Esta edição cobre ainda as novas tecnologias da tradução, tradutores voluntários, lógica não linear, mediação, idiomas asiáticos e as pesquisas em processos cognitivos na tradução. Abrangente e cativante, destina-se tanto à autoinstrução, independentemente de o leitor atuar ou não na área, quanto a ser usado como referencial em cursos de estudos da tradução e em programas de linguística aplicada.
So, according to Pym; functionalist studies, descriptive studies, cultural studies, epistemology, skepticism, Heisenberg, Plato, Chomsky, Derrida, scent of flowers, our existence, the meaning of life, everyone, everything you can imagine is somehow related to equivalence. Ignoring this creepy obsession, this book will be useful to give you a basic idea about translation theories.
Quite a useful book on translation theories. I'm not giving it a 5/5 rating for a couple of reasons. I'm not sure I believe in separating theory from practice so much in the field of translation. I also don't like the fact that everything HAS to relate back to the concept of equivalence, while I can see how that concept is central to the discipline. I can also see there has to be a red thread, but sometimes this one feels rather artificial and far-fetched.
I like the book, however, because I do believe discussion of individual (subconscious) translation theories might be simplified by the terms and concepts explained in this book. The theories are also related to each other rather neatly, for example in chapter 4 where Pym shows the reader how in Skopos theory or at least theorisation focused on purpose of the target text, many theorists use dichotomies that can be compared to each other with quite some ease. This makes the whole mass of information more accessible and easier to grasp for a relative newbie like myself.
For a book on theory, it was pretty good. Pym brings a fair amount of snark to his extremely loquacious explanations of translation (and other questionably related) theory. His ending every chapter rebutting common criticisms of each theory brings a refreshing look to everything.
Still, I'd rather spend my time making translations than arguing whether or not the uncertainty of translation should be considered a proper paradigm or not. The things people theorize about. Seriously.
As an introduction, survey, and synthesis of current theories at work in the translation world, I can’t imagine a better textbook. Clear and with a wealth of examples and comparative, synthetic analysis.
I knew I'd signed my own death warrant when I applied and got into this Master's but I guess one has to face the consequences of one's own decisions...
First off, this book has been a lifesaver for the independent study class I'm taking. Lots of good info / history is covered here (with a sprinkle of drama that has occurred between a few of the folks being written about, always a favorite.)
I had to sit on this one a bit before typing up this review. Ergo, a lot to say here.
I understand why equivalence is a core component of translation. I understand why it is important. I don't understand why Anthony seems to like it so much. It kind of baffles me, but this is just my opinion. It's concerning in the same way that Chomskyans and generativists are still existing in 2025 is concerning to me, but live and let live. I'll just question them from a distance.
Moving on, he gives great explanations and doesn't try to write to make himself sound smart (a huge plus, especially when academic books are already dense enough on their own without deliberate, flowery complications to boost the author's ego.)
One thing I liked a lot is he brought up counterpoints / arguments at the end of each chapter. I found this very enriching. Also, the exercises given for thought / practice were thought-provoking/stimulating.
Something I'm not sure I agree with entirely is separating translation theory from translation in practice. In the beginning of the book, it's mentioned that translators theorize all the time for work by default, since you need to constantly come up with / justify / swap between ideas. So why theorize and then spend time detaching from that very process? That didn't make much sense to me.
Very well-written book about translation theories / methods / history.
(Leído en inglés.) De los ocho capítulos, leí seis para un curso sobre traducción y tecnologías.
Realiza un recorrido por las distintas teorías que han sido de importancia histórica para el desarrollo de los Estudios de Traducción: los paradigmas de la equivalencia natural y direccional, las teorías funcionalistas y del Skopos, los estudios descriptivos y la traducción cultural.
I'm glad to have read this book, but might not have made it through if it were not a textbook for a class. The distance between translation theory and practice often frustrated me.