Translation Studies Concentration
Translation is that space where language, culture, history, politics and incommensurable difference all collide and sometimes cohere to make sense. At a time of intensive globalization, when cultures and languages seek common understanding, translation is an indispensable discipline.
Requirements & Courses
Learning Goals
A translation studies concentrator is taught:
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To know and love the importance of translation.
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To be committed to linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
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To deepen linguistic and cultural literacy in a chosen language.
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To bridge gaps among academic interests.
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To place concentrators’ academic interests in a global context.
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To develop the capacity of intercultural/interlinguistic communication.
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To pay attention to details and notice the invisible work.
Courses
TSX 330/ WLT 330 Capstone Seminar in Translation Studies (4 Credits)
Offered as WLT 330 and TSX 330. The capstone seminar brings together a cohort of concentrators to discuss a final translation project that each student undertakes with the guidance of their adviser in the concentration and to situate the project within the framework of larger questions that the work of translation elicits. The readings focus on renowned practitioners’ reflections on the challenges, beauties and discoveries of translating. Students compare how translations transform the original novel and question the concept of original text as it interacts with the culture and the language into which it is translated. Open to students in the Concentration in Translation Studies and World Literatures. Prerequisite: WLT 150. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required. {L}
Spring
Crosslisted Courses
CHI 350 Advanced Chinese through Film and Literature (4 Credits)
Development of advanced proficiency in four skills through the study and discussion of selected modern Chinese literary and cinematic texts. Students explore literary and formal expression in original works, including fiction, short stories, prose, novellas and screenplays. With the instructor’s permission, advanced language courses may be repeated when the content changes. Prerequisite: CHI 302 or placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}
Fall, Spring, Variable
EAL 233 Chinese Travel Writing (4 Credits)
Who travels in China and for what reasons? What does a traveler write about--the scenery of a particular location or the experience of a journey itself; the homesickness or the joy of traveling; the philosophical and spiritual insights or the political implications? Much of Chinese literature is composed from the perspective of one who is, or has been, on the road: whether as exile, pilgrim, soldier, pleasure traveler, or even shaman. Through close reading of selected poems, diary entries, essays, and fictional writings, and visual images selected from across the centuries, we explore how various writers define such notions as "place" and "home." All readings are in English translation. {L}
Fall, Spring, Variable
ENG 171/ WLT 272 Composing a Self: Chinese and English Voices (4 Credits)
Offered as ENG 171 and WLT 272. Is the self a story? How do we translate ourselves into multiple personas in different locations and contexts? How do we speak to others with diverse beliefs or ourselves at new times? To learn, students read and compose short texts in Chinese, translate them into English, and consider the art and politics of translation. Working in public-facing genres (memoir, narrative nonfiction, journalism, short stories, social media and multimedia projects), students develop their creative writing in both Chinese and English, as well as understandings of Chinese cultures and of literary and cultural translation. Discussion in Chinese and English. Chinese fluency required. One WI course highly recommended. Enrollment limited to 16. {F}{L}
Fall, Spring, Alternate Years
POR 233 Borderlands of Portuguese: Multilingualism, Language Policy and Identity (4 Credits)
This course considers the shifting borders of Portuguese as a local, national and global language. The course explores language diversity within and across Lusophone countries and communities, noting differences in pronunciation and vocabulary and ways in which some varieties are esteemed and others stigmatized. Th course examines how different institutions have promoted and shaped Portuguese within and beyond officially Portuguese-speaking nations, and addresses multilingualism and ways in which Portuguese interacts with English, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole and Indigenous languages in Brazil and Africa. Throughout, students consider views of writers and musicians as they reflect upon the language of their creative expression and what it means to be Lusophone in the world today. Course taught in Portuguese. Prerequisite: POR 125 or POR 200, or equivalent. {F}{L}
Fall, Spring, Variable
SPN 178/ WLT 178 Naughty Fictional Translators (4 Credits)
Offered as WLT 178 and SPN 178. This course focuses on fictional portraits of iconoclastic translators and interpreters. The first two months are devoted to a (relatively) "slow reading" of Don Quijote as a pioneer text in terms of attributing a central role to a fictional translator. The third month is devoted to international films and short stories--largely, but not exclusively, from the Spanish-speaking world, which has experienced a remarkable upsurge of "transfictions" (i.e., fictions about translators) since the ‘90s. Taught in English. {L}
Fall, Spring, Alternate Years
TSX 330/ WLT 330 Capstone Seminar in Translation Studies (4 Credits)
Offered as WLT 330 and TSX 330. The capstone seminar brings together a cohort of concentrators to discuss a final translation project that each student undertakes with the guidance of their adviser in the concentration and to situate the project within the framework of larger questions that the work of translation elicits. The readings focus on renowned practitioners’ reflections on the challenges, beauties and discoveries of translating. Students compare how translations transform the original novel and question the concept of original text as it interacts with the culture and the language into which it is translated. Open to students in the Concentration in Translation Studies and World Literatures. Prerequisite: WLT 150. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required. {L}
Spring
WLT 150 The Art of Translation: Poetics, Politics, Practice (2 Credits)
Translations are everywhere: on television news, in radio interviews, in movie subtitles, in international bestsellers. But translations don’t shift texts transparently from one language to another. Rather, they revise, censor and rewrite original works, to challenge the past and to speak to new readers. The course explores translation in a range of contexts by hearing lectures by experts in the history, theory and practice of translation. Knowledge of a foreign language is useful but not required. S/U only. Can be taken concurrently with FRN 295. {L}
Spring
Translation Studies Concentration
Requirements
- Gateway course: WLT 150
- Four electives:
- Two courses in the language, literature or culture of the foreign language (8 credits). Students whose native language is not English may take courses in English language, literature or culture to satisfy this requirement.
- Two courses with a focus on translation theory, translation studies, translation practice, linguistics, or the problems of language (8 credits). Students may take an additional course in their foreign language as a substitute for one of these two courses. At least one course in fulfillment of this requirement must have a central focus on translation.
- E-portfolio containing self-assessments of growth in the language and in translation.
- Two practical experiences: Typically, one semester abroad and one 100-hour internship
- Capstone seminar: TSX 330/ WLT 330
- Demonstrated achievement at the 300 level or above in the language from which the student translates.
Additional Guidelines
- Students may not count more than three academic courses for both the concentration and major.
- Courses may be taken within the Five Colleges or abroad.
Additional Programmatic Information
Students may apply to the Translation Studies Concentration (TSX) during their sophomore year. The concentration accepts up to 15 students per year. Students may count no more than three courses for both the concentration and their major. These courses may be taken within the Five Colleges or abroad. In addition to the required courses below, students must demonstrate capacity (300 or above level) in the foreign language from which they translate.
Two practical experiences are required:
- A minimum of one semester studying abroad or equivalent (for instance, an intensive summer program), in the foreign language and culture. International students may count their study at Smith as their study abroad. In exceptional cases, and with the approval of the advisor and the program director, a second practical experience amounting to at least 100 hours may be substituted for the study abroad requirement.
- An internship or independent research project that focuses on translation/interpretation or cross-cultural issues and that engages the foreign language in a significant way. The practical experience must consist of a minimum of 100 hours of work and be approved by the concentration adviser.
For information about practical experience approval, please see the “Forms” section of the website. Financial support for internships or practical experiences may be available through the Office for International Study's International Experience Grants, Blumberg Traveling Fellowships and the Anita Volz Wien '62 Global Scholars Fund. A number of other grants for specific regions may also be available for students studying or interning abroad or in immigrant communities in the United States.The Lazarus Center for Career Development offers Praxis stipends for unpaid summer internships. There is more information about doing a practical experience via a Praxis stipend in the “Forms” section.
Students document their experiences with an E-Portfolio that will include:
- two detailed language self-assessments
- reflections on your language-learning
- a reflection on how your practical experiences have deepened your understanding of the language and culture you are studying
- a shortened version of the introduction to your final translation project
- a video of your presentation during Collaborations
- any other relevant written, audio, and video materials
View examples of past student portfolios. This link will only work for current Smith students, select "Login with Sibboleth" and enter your Smith username and password.
Additional Course Information
WLT 150: The Art of Translation
(2 credits)
We hear and read translations all the time: on television news, in radio interviews, in movie subtitles, in international bestsellers. But translations don’t shift texts transparently from one language to another. Rather, they revise, censor and rewrite original works, to challenge the past and to speak to new readers. We explore translation in a range of contexts by hearing lectures by experts in the history, theory and practice of translation. Knowledge of a foreign language useful but not required. S/U only
1. Two courses in the language/literature/culture of the foreign language (8 credits)
*(Students whose native language is not English may take courses in English language/literature/culture to satisfy this requirement.)
2. Two courses with a focus on translation theory, translation studies, translation practice, linguistics, or the problems of language (8 credits). Students may take an additional course in their foreign language as a substitute for one of these two courses. At least one course in fulfillment of this requirement must have a central focus on translation.
TSX 330/CLT 330: Translation Across Borders
(4 credits)
The capstone seminar brings together a cohort of concentrators to discuss the final translation project that each student undertakes with the guidance of their mentor in the concentration and to situate the project within the framework of larger questions that the work of translation elicits. The seminar readings will focus on renowned practitioners' reflections on the difficulties and complexities of translating, the obstacles, discoveries and solutions that the translator encounters. We will read a series of essays that engage with the conflicting interpretations and nuances of translations in 14 languages of Ferdinand Oyonos' iconic 1956 African novel, Une vie de boy. We will compare how these translations transform the original novel and question the concept of original text as it interacts with the culture and the language into which it is translated. As part of the capstone seminar, and in consultation with your faculty mentor, you will work on a final translation project (10 pages minimum, depending on the type of translation) with a substantial introduction that reflects on the obstacles, difficulties and successes of the task of translation.
In some cases, an honors thesis that either is a translation or reflects on translation, can be substituted for the capstone translation project.
Advisory Committee
Forms
Declaration of Concentration
Students who have been accepted into the concentration and received their adviser’s name need to fill out the
→ Program of Study Declaration Form with the Registrar's Office.
This is the last step in making the concentration official in Workday.
Practical Experience Forms
After discussing the proposed practical experience with their advisers, students need to fill out the corresponding practical experience approval form in order to have the experience count towards the concentration requirements:
- Summer Internship (100 hours or more) → Internship Credit Application
All students undertaking a summer internship of at least 100 hours are eligible to receive academic credit (0.25 credits per experience) that will appear on their transcript. We encourage all students who qualify to apply for internship credit. Students applying for Praxis funding don’t need to fill out this form, and should instead use the “Praxis with Credit” form below. - Unpaid Summer Internship (220 hours or more) → Praxis with Credit Application
All Smith students are eligible to receive a stipend payment for one normally unpaid internship through the Praxis program at the Lazarus Center. These internships must take place during the summer, and must comprise at least 220 working hours. Students in Concentrations are eligible to apply for Praxis a second time– Praxis Plus. When applying for a Praxis internship, the applicant must specify if the internship counts towards a concentration and should fill out the “Praxis with Credit” application. - Study Abroad
Students who fulfilled their Study Abroad requirement should fill out the → Practical Experience Completion Form and check the “Study Abroad” box on the form. - Other Internships and Practical Experiences
Students whose internships do not meet the above requirements because they take place during Interterm, during the school year, or for any other reason, should fill out the following forms.
Prior to starting the internship please fill out the → Practical Experience Approval Form.
Upon completion of the practical experience please fill out the → Practical Experience Completion Form. - Retroactive Credit for an Experience
Students who completed a practical experience relevant to the concentration prior to being accepted into the cohort should discuss the experience with their concentration adviser as soon as possible. Once the experience is approved, students must fill out the → Practical Experience Completion Form and check the “Retroactive Experience” box on the form.
Advising Checklist for Graduation
Students are required to submit a completed Concentration Advising Checklist at the start of their final semester. This form documents the completed components of the concentration requirements, and must be signed by the student’s concentration adviser. Completed form should be sent to the registrar’s office (registrar@smith.edu) and to the administrative coordinator for concentrations (concentrations@smith.edu).
Practical Experience Information
Application
Next application deadline is October 16, 2024
Students who wish to apply outside of the listed deadline should be in touch with the director of Translation Studies.
Applications will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee to determine the feasibility of the proposed course of study in the Translation Concentration along with the your intended or declared major. Accepted students will be assigned to an adviser who will oversee your progress through the program and approve internships.
To complete the registration for the concentration, you need to fill out the Declaration of Concentration form from the Office of the Registrar and have it signed by the director of the Translation Studies Concentration.
To apply for the Translation Studies Concentration, fill out the online application.
Contact Translation Studies Concentration
Smith College
Email: concentrations@smith.edu
Director of the Translation Studies Concentration: Reyes Lázaro
Administrative Assistant: Yona Kimball-Smith