Open Panel: Contesting Epistemologies in Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies

An international conference hosted by the
Centre for Translation and the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies,
Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

In collaboration with the
Genealogies of Knowledge Project, University of Manchester, UK

7-9 April 2020

CONFERENCE THEME KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
VENUE IMPORTANT DATES OPEN PANELS

Contesting Epistemologies in Cognitive Translation and Interpreting Studies: The current state of play

Convenors: Sandra L. Halverson, University of Agder, Norway and Álvaro Marín García, University of Essex, UK

After decades of what some might call a rather myopic focus on data collection, processing and analysis (Göpferich et al. 2009), cognitive translation and interpreting studies (CTIS) has grown into epistemological discussions that question established research traditions and the knowledge generated according to their methods and constructs (Halverson 2015; Muñoz 2016). A new research tradition has emerged, leading to the creation of new constructs and challenging previous ones. At the same time, we have seen variation in the methods of validation and assessment of models, leading to a point of disciplinary problematization and self-reflection in the wake of these new research traditions and the validation crisis in the social sciences (Risku 2014).

This panel will discuss the evolution of (and variation in) views of scientific knowledge as articulated and practised in CTIS, both as they relate to transdisciplinary relationships between CTIS, cognitive psychology, cognitive science and cognitive linguistics/semiotics and as they relate to other subdisciplines or areas within translation studies. We would like to consider the fruits of this discussion in light of an understanding of scientific disciplines as communities of practice that necessarily negotiate meaning in their constant interaction, transforming (translating across disciplines) scientific discourse and therefore knowledge. We would also like to approach the challenges and opportunities that a plurality of validation methods and contesting research traditions bring to a field that has traditionally inscribed itself within a monist experimental paradigm.

Panel endorsed by the TREC Research Network: http://pagines.uab.cat/trec/

References

Göpferich, S., A.L. Jakobsen and I.M. Mees (eds) (2009) Behind the Mind: Methods, models and results in translation process research, Copenhagen: Samfundslitteratur.

Halverson, S. (2015) ‘Cognitive TS and the Merging of Empirical Paradigms: The case of literal translation’, Translation Spaces 4(2): 310-340.

Muñoz Martín, R. (2016) ‘Of Minds and Men – Computers and translators’, Poznan Studies in Contemporary Linguistics 52(2): 351-381.

Risku, H. (2014) ‘Translation Process Research as Interaction Research: From mental to socio-cognitive processes’, MonTi: Monografías de Traducción e Interpretación 1: 331-53.

Panel Convenors

Panel presentations