Translation and language and cultural policies: the importance of political cognizance in audiovisual translator training

Abstract

Policies concerning language and culture are integral to the translators’ work as they are an intrinsic part of the translation process. Thus, it becomes necessary to include a good bit of what could be referred to as ‘policy cognizance’, which could be defined as an understanding of the policies that mold the practice spanning from historical perspectives to the present day laws and regulations, in translator training. The following study is an effort to refer to some of the subjects that may be included in an audiovisual translation course within the objective defined. It aims to exemplify and justify the integration of certain training modules that need to be included in a comprehensive training curriculum if the translator-to-be is to become policy cognizant in the field. Following an overview on the relation between state, language policy and translation, the study goes on to concentrate on suggestions for modules that can be integrated into audiovisual translation training at university level. It is penned with the hope of providing food for thought and a perspective for the translator trainer and translator-to be who wish to specialize in audiovisual translation.