constructing pathways to translation - Higher Education Commission

Linguistics and Anthropology etc. This point has already been discussed in greater detail
under Translation and Bilingualism and Translation and Linguistic implications.
The list of components that can form the basis of Translation Curriculum within the
192
pedagogic framework of IIUI in particular, has been worked out, which later can be
developed and modified. It will provide an outline for teaching Translation as an
independent discipline and can inform and guide the students in their decisions during
the course of performing their task.
10.2.11 POWER NETWORK OF PUBLISHING INDUSTRY
The main cause of the decay and decline of Translation
Studies is the attitude and role of
publishers towards Translations as has been confirmed by the Questionnaire Survey,
where the respondents have very aptly remarked about the negative attitude of
publishers. The existing state has already been discussed in Chapter 09, as well.
It has been observed, that literary translators, work from contract to contract often for a
modest flat fee, and the publishers generally tend to reduce and minimize the translation
cost. Publishers are reluctant to grant the copyright or share of royalties to the translator.
This repression and exploitation exercised by publishing industry can be attributed to the
weakness of the translator’s role in the entire book trade network of Pakistan. This
complex network amounts to ‘power play’, which often results in domesticating
translations. Informal talks with some translators also revealed the fact that in most
cases, a large number of alterations are recommended by the publisher, to make the
translation a successful market commodity, with the least concern for its intellectual
depth, which are not acceptable to the translators.
Another key player in the process is the author’s literary agent. Agents represent a range
of publishers and authors. They take a percentage of the writers’ earning, in order to
offer a ST to a prospective target language publishing house, who then contact their
prepared translators.
In countries like Pakistan, for many authors writing in Urdu, the benchmark and status
symbol of success is to be translated into English. In fact the decision whether or not to
translate a work, is the greatest power wielded by the editor and the publisher, as Dr
Naeem Kalasra has provided a very realistic picture to the situation. The situation also