Towards a European Framework of Reference for the Education and Training of Literary Translators Erasmus Project

Project Title

Towards a European Framework of Reference for the Education and Training of Literary Translators

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); Recognition, transparency, certification; Creativity and culture

Project Summary

PETRA-E aims to set up a European infrastructure for the education and training of literary translators. A Framework of Reference which describes competences of literary translators is the first step in that direction. A dataset with European academic and non-academic programs for literary translation is another output.

Backgrounds
In multicultural and multilingual Europe it is difficult to overestimate the importance of literary translation. Literary translation requires specific knowledge and skills: language proficiency, knowledge of the source and target culture and familiarity with various schools of thought. Literary translators must also be able to handle different styles. These are but a few of the competencies expected of a literary translator. Proper training programs are therefore very important.

The education of literary translators is necessarily a small scale matter; the market is small and the number of possible language combinations is large. It is a fragmented field of academic and non-academic education programs in which literary translation is often invisible since it forms part of programs for language studies. There is a lack of opportunities for cooperation, exchange and student and teacher exchange programs. Validation of achieved results, previously or elsewhere is often not possible. A better developed European infrastructure would enable stronger cooperation.

This project is the first step towards a long term goal: a European network of formal and informal literary translation schools offering common (Masters) programs, student and teacher exchanges, distance learning and widely recognized qualifications and credits. Although the institutions and organizations may hold different views on literary translation, they may agree ­ at a basic level ­ on a Framework which will of course be receptive to different views on translation quality.

This would make it possible in the longer term:
•for students to better plan their careers;
•to facilitate the validation of informal learning and its permeability with formal education pathways;
•for institutions to cooperate efficiently and to measure their performance against a benchmark;
•to develop initiatives for competences currently lacking in programs.

Previous initiatives
The project builds on previous initiatives.
* The recommendations of the PETRA 2011 Congress:
-“Lay the foundation for a European infrastructure (…) by developing and disseminating a Framework for literary translation”.
-“Forums should be set up at a European level, since there is a need for a debate on the recognition of competencies and proficiency levels and for reaching consensus (…) for a curriculum”.
* The Dutch Flemish Learning Line for literary translation (Centre of Expertise for Literary Translation).
* An inventory of translation programs by CEATL;

The project has been carried out by eight project partners. A choice was made in favor of a broadly based project group, bringing together different types of schools, stakeholders and disciplines. This also increased the level of support for and the dissemination of results. Apart from the project partners, about 30 other institutions and people were involved in the development of the Framework during the meetings.

Activities & impact
The group met in 5 plenary meetings and 4 working group meetings to develop the Framework. After every meeting a new version was compiled, until the approval of the final version in January 2016. During the meetings the ambitions have grown and a lot of additional material has been compiled. The Framework, the accompanying texts and all other additional information can be found (and downloaded) on the project’s website: http://petra-educationframework.eu/ where one can also find a database with academic and non academic literary translation programs.
Both the digital and the printed version have reached a large audience all over Europe and beyond. Over 10,000 printed copies and an even greater number of digital versions have been distributed. The Framework has been demonstrated and presented on many occasions. Many people and institutions have shown interest.

Long term benefits
The Framework and additional information and the online helpdesk will remain available for whoever wants to make use of it. New translations of the Framework will be encouraged. The lay out is freely available for new translations. The PETRA-E partners have decided to continue as a network, dedicated to the education and training of literary translation and the further development of the Framework. Many organisations have shown an interest in becoming a member.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 277482 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT & Country: NL

Project Partners

• Nederlandse Taalunie
• Deutscher Übersetzerfonds e. V.
• Conseil Européen des Associations de Traducteurs Littéraires
• UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
• KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
• EOTVOS LORAND TUDOMANYEGYETEM
• Fondazione Universitaria San Pellegrino