ABSTRACT

This book brings together an ensemble of leading voices from the fields of economics, language policy, law, political philosophy, and translation studies. They come together to provide theoretical perspectives and practical case studies regarding a shared concern: translation policy. Their timely perspectives and case studies allow for the problematizing and exploration of translation policy, an area that is beginning to come to the attention of scholars. This book offers the first truly interdisciplinary approach to an area of study that is still in its infancy. It thus makes a timely and necessary contribution.

As the 21st century marches on, authorities are more and more confronted with the reality of multilingual societies, and the monolingual state polices of yesteryear seem unable to satisfy increasing demands for more just societies. Precisely because of that, language policies of necessity must include choices about the use or non-use of translation at different levels. Thus, translation policy plays a prominent yet often unseen role in multilingual societies. This role is shaped by tensions and compromises that bear on the distribution of resources, choices about language, legal imperatives, and notions of justice. This book aims to inform scholars and policy makers alike regarding these issues.

chapter 1|14 pages

Interdisciplinary perspectives on translation policy

New directions and challenges

chapter 2|17 pages

Translational justice

Between equality and privation

chapter 4|25 pages

From language planning to translation policy

Looking for a conceptual framework

chapter 5|34 pages

Comparative language policy and evaluation

Criteria, indicators and implications for translation policy

chapter 6|14 pages

Political philosophy and scientific translation

When individual interest does not translate into collective benefits

chapter 7|21 pages

Educational interpreting as instrument of language policy

The case at a “Historically Afrikaans” South African university

chapter 8|19 pages

Law and translation at the U.S.–Mexico border

Translation policy in a diglossic setting