Why is translation theory useful to translators?

Abstract

This article raises the question of the usefulness of translation theory for the practical activity of translators. The usefulness of the theory is certainly a controversial topic that has led to intense debate among experts. Although there are schools and colleges where translation and interpretation studies have been taught for over thirty years, the theory still causes distrust not only among translators who have not studied translation, but also among students and even teachers. This fact is not surprising if we think that the theory, broadly understood, is an essential part of higher studies and underpins our discipline. From some readings and my experience as a professor of Translutology at the University of Granada, I intend to answer the title question and related questions such as: which theory does the translator need?, What are the relations between theory and practice of translation? And what is translation theory for?

Keywords

• teoria da tradução
• prática da tradução
• tradução profissional
• formação de tradutores
• utilidade