constructing pathways to translation - Higher Education Commission

prime position, with the most evident split between linguists and cultural theorists. The
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former dominated in the 1950s and 1960s,
while in the last decadein the late 1990s,
linguistic theories have been marginalized by scholars moving within, or adopting the
practices of other disciplines. Looking at the interests and frictions represented in
translation studies, the crucial question arises whether there might at some point not be a
total fragmentation of discipline, with either a separation of different stands or a
consolidation of the previous disciplinary separation.
Thus, a key question for contemporary researchers faced with a proliferation of current
work in Translation Studies is, how far they should specialize. What may be needed in
future is some greater degree of specialization and more collaboration on joint projects.
The kinds of interdisciplinary approaches is one of the ways of bridging the gap between
Linguistics and Cultural Studies. That appears to be a workable phenomenon especially
for teaching Translation in countries like Pakistan, where it has not yet started its
infancy. Inter as well as Multi disciplinary approach therefore appears to be more viable.
Writing does not happen in a vacuum, it happens in a context. The process of translating
texts from one cultural system into another is not a neutral, innocent, transparent activity.
Translation is, instead, a highly charged, transgressive activity. The politics of translation
and translating deserve much greater attention than has been paid in the past. Translation
has, thus played a fundamental
role in cultural change. As one considers the diachronics
of translation practice, the position of receiving cultures in relation to source text culture
becomes very clear.
Translation Studies asserts boldly that it is a discipline, and the strength of work in the
field world wide seems to confirm that assertion.