Introduction to Translation

This course is taught in the form of typed notes. It introduces the students to the meaning of translation, its   methods and approaches. It represents a brief review of the historical development of the translation theory.  It also acquaints the students with tools and rules of translation. It introduces the students to the different kinds of translation and interpretation, the required competencies of the translator, his linguistic and professional background, and his ethical responsibility. The course discusses methods of evaluating and grading translated works. The course shows the importance and role of translation for the development of cultural and scientific domains in the Arab world. It covers, as well, some of the basic problems that the translator may encounter during the translation process due to linguistic and cultural differences between the Source Language (SL: English/Arabic) and the Target Language (TL: English/Arabic) which belong to two different origins. It stresses, as well, the importance of adequacy and quality assessment in translation.