The transfer competence consists of the knowledge, the skills and the attitude needed to translate texts into the main language at a required level. It comprises the ability to recognize problems of textual understanding and text production and the ability to solve these problems in an appropriate way, and to account for the final result.
understanding of source texts
can understand source texts
can understand literary source texts
can understand literary source texts in a detailed way
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identification of translation problems
can identify translation problems
can identify literary translation problems
can solve literary translation problems in several ways
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familiarity with translation strategies
knows several translation strategies
can see the implications of translation strategies and can adopt them
can apply strategies in a purposeful way
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production of target texts
can produce a target text
can produce a literary target text
can produce literary target texts that meet publication standards
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justification of translations
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can justify individual choices and decisions
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can justify their translations as a whole
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translation approach
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can distinguish between different translation approaches
can outline their own translation approach
can adopt a translation approach
can reflect on their own approach in a preface or a commentary to a translation
literary creativity
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develops ability to find solutions and make choices beyond learned procedures and methods
can find solutions and make choices beyond learned procedures and methods
optimal creative ability
2. Language Competence
Language competence refers to the grammatical, stylistic and pragmatic mastering of the source language and the target language especially in the domains of reading and writing.
Can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints. Can understand contemporary literary prose.
Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to her/his field.
Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. Can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to one’s field. Can express oneself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. Can write about complex subjects in a letter, an essay or a report, underlining what she/he considers to be the salient issues. Can select style appropriate to the reader in mind.
Can read with ease virtually all forms of the written language, including abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts such as manuals, specialised articles and literary works. Can write clear, smoothly flowing text in an appropriate style. Can write complex letters, reports or articles which present a case with an effective logical structure which helps the recipient to notice and remember significant points. Can write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works.
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literary language
can recognize (features of) literary language
can adopt literary styles
can adopt an appropriate literary style
can master several types of literary style appropriately
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language variation
can recognize language varieties
can apply language varieties
can adopt an appropriate language variety
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3. Textual competence
Textual competence consists of the knowledge of literary genres and styles and the ability to apply this knowledge in the analysis of source texts and the production of target texts.
analyzing texts
can analyze source texts
can analyze literary source texts
can make translation-relevant analyses of literary texts
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familiarity with literary genres
knows genre tradition of the target literature
knows genre tradition of the source literature
can handle specific genres and text types
specializes in at least one specific genre
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familiarity with the stylistic features of a source text
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can recognize stylistic features of source texts
can evaluate different stylistic features
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application of literary techniques
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can respond to specific textual challenges creatively
can apply literary techniques
can apply complex literary techniques
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production of target texts with stylistic features
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can produce a target text in a certain style
can find solutions and make choices creatively
can produce target texts in different styles
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editorial skills
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can revise own texts
can revise texts up to publication standards
can edit texts up to publication standards
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machine-translated / AI-generated output
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is familiar with developments in machine translation (including AI) for literary texts
can evaluate machine-translated / AI-generated output
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4. Heuristic competence
Heuristic competence covers the ability to gather in an efficient way the linguistic and thematic knowledge needed for translation; the ability to develop strategies for an efficient use of (digital) information sources; the ability to apply textual criticism and to differentiate between text editions.
searching for reference material
can find reference material
can find specific reference material
can use reference material in a way relevant for translation
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accessing online resources
can apply digital search strategies
can apply digital search strategies relevant for translation
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differentiating between text editions
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can distinguish between text editions
can use text editions in a translation-relevant way
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applying critical apparatus
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can use critical apparatus
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using CAT tools
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is familiar with CAT tools
can use CAT tools
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can contribute to the development of CAT tools for literary translation
5. Literary-cultural competence
Literary-cultural competence is the ability to apply knowledge about the source and target literature and culture while making a literary translation; it also includes the ability to handle cultural differences and the ability to distinguish between literary movements and schools, periods and styles.
situation of source text
can situate a source text within source culture
has a general knowledge about literary traditions in source culture
knows literary tradition of the source culture well
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situation of target text
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develops ability to situate a target text within the literary system of the target culture
can situate their own translation in the target culture
knows literary translation tradition in the target culture
contributes to the literary translation tradition in target culture
understanding of culture-specific elements
can recognize culture-specific elements
can recognize culture-specific elements in a way relevant for translation
can effectively deal with culture-specific elements
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intercultural skills
can recognize differences between source culture and target culture
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can effectively deal with differences between source culture and target culture
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intertextual skills
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can recognize intertextual references
can effectively deal with intertextual references
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6. Professional competence
Professional competence is the ability to gather knowledge about the working field and to show the appropriate attitude expected by the working field.
The translator knows of the existence of a translators’ association in his/her country and attends translators’ local / regional meetings & conventions.
meets the criteria to join a professional association
can take an active role in professional associations
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familiarity with publishing
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has broad familiarity with the publishing landscape and the publishing process
knows publishers of literary translations; knows editorial imprints/lines (literary publishing, children's books, etc.); can write publishing reports
knows editorial policies and selection and programming criteria
knows the criteria and can contribute to the creation of an editorial imprint/line
knows and can apply professional ethical codes and standards in target and source culture
The translator doesn’t change the contents of the works s/he translates. S/he doesn’t translate authors who have previously been translated by colleagues without conferring with these colleagues first. S/he doesn’t undercut currently accepted conditions of fees and royalties in her/his translation contracts. S/he doesn’t translate texts that propagate violations of human rights.
can contribute to the development of professional ethical codes and standards
can express authoritative ethical opinions
familiarity with current translation approaches
knows literary criticism in the source culture
knows models and traditions of translation criticism of the target culture
The translator knows and meets the deadlines of her/his translation contracts. S/he is familiar with formats like standard pages. S/he can produce sample translations for publishers.
The translator can estimate the research a given translation project requires. S/he self-edits translations to publishable shape. If necessary s/he annotates his/her translations.
There are numerous forms of assessment, developed in accordance with their function. Numerous juries of prizes have designed forms; publishers and literary foundations use criteria in order to give translators assignments or grants. In translation studies, a lot of models have been developed (cf. the entry ‘Translation Criticism’ by Outi Paloposki in the Handbook of Translation Studies, volume 3 (Ed. Yves Gambier and Luc van Doorslaer, John Benjamins 2012, pp. 184–190). An inspiring study might be Lance Hewson’s An Approach to Translation Criticism: Emma and Madame Bovary in Translation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins 2011.
can select appropriate types of assessment
can apply appropriate types of assessment
comparison of translations
can recognize differences between translations
can interpret differences between translations of the same text
can evaluate differences between translations
can practise translation criticism
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assessment of translators' proficiency
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develops ability to assess translators' proficiency
The PETRA-E Framework itself conceives of translation competence as a total of the 8 subcompetences here presented. For key publications and the history of the notion ‘translation competence’ see the entry ‘Competence’ by Amparo Hurtado Albir in the Handbook of Translation Studies, volume 1 (Ed. Yves Gambier and Luc van Doorslaer, John Benjamins 2010, pp. 55-59).
Over the last decades the number of courses, workshops etc. in the field of literary translation in various countries of Europe has increased. The same holds true for more individually-oriented training models such as mentorships, most of which are given by experienced literary translators willing and able to pass on their expertise to beginning, young translators.
self-reflection
can reflect on own translations
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can make an estimation of their own literary translation competence
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makes an optimal assessment of their own level of competence
8. Research competence
Research competence is the ability to conduct methodical research in order to inform translation practice.
research methodologies
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can apply research methodologies
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familiarity with translation techniques
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can distinguish and name existing translation techniques
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familiarity with translation theories
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knows several theories of translation
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academic skills
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can analyze translations on an academic level
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familiarity with schools of thought in translation studies
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knows schools of thought in translation studies
begins to make original contributions to the disciplinary debate
makes complex contributions to the disciplinary debate
makes innovative contributions to the disciplinary debate