Some notes on the Future of Translation Studies
Abstract
Translation Studies in Basque have had many ups and downs during recent years. In the last ten years the Martutene Translators School and HAEE-IVAP (Administrative translation) have come into existence. Both are now in a period of great change. The first school, due to economic problems, has been considerably reduced in size —and now is limited to teaching translating ant writing. The second school no longer accepts news pupils in the hope that the University will take over these studies.
The balance of these studies es positive: above all, they have served as a meeting place for translators, and their profession generally being a lonely one has started to become collective. 7-his magazine, Senez, an the Translators Association EIZIE are fruit of the Martutene School.
Now great changes in these studies are being considered, an with the ultimate aim being that of adequate design, we shall try to analyze the needs of the studies.
In the first place, we must ask how many translators are needed; that is to say, we must study the market. Our market is divided into two groups: first, there are the public institutions (Government, Deputation, Town Hall, EITB). From a quantitative point of view, they are by far our most important clients —and the only client that has provided permanent jobs for translators. It c an therefore he said that wherever there are public institutions, there is translation. Recently, the quantity of work to be translated for ETB mainly has reduced considerably. Changes can also for seen be here with creation of the Official Translation Service.
There is public initiative aimed at promoting translation (various projects to translate literary and philosophical texts) but this initiative quantitively speaking is merely anecdotical.
In private institutions (Banks, Saving Banks, editorials, etc) the administration, indirectly also weighs heavily, (demans made on bilinguism, financing, etc) and it is the administration which will ultimately define the politics of translation in these entities.
As far as the need oJ the translator are concerned —in the first place, those who are working at the present time are in fact most in need of studies, it is necessary to remember the importance of research —particularly when one considers the various different types of Basque.
While, as has already been mencioned, the battle for linguistic unification has been won, the battle for style is yet to be fought. This battle will take place mainly in the field of translation (directly or indirectly, as the translation many original texts is basically taken for granted as being necessary).
If these studies are carried out in the University —which is not absolutely necessary, great flexibility would be needed in order to adequately cater for the present needs of translation into Basque. The University, however, is where this could best be achieved.
