On The External Progress Of Translation Studies: A Study Of Institutional Development

Translator associations and organizations act as an indispensable external force in the development of translation studies. On the global scale or at the national level, the establishment of such associations and organizations marks a milestone in the development of translation profession. These institutions have played an important part in facilitating professionalisation, regulating translation market and attracting capable individuals. Through their efforts, the field of translation is moving toward a more regulated and recognized profession.To better understand this social phenomenon of professionalisation, this thesis uses three professionalisation models in the sociological literature: trait model, control model and process model, each of which offers a different perspective on the development of a given profession.Based on these three models, the thesis conducts a comprehensive study of major translator associations and organizations at the international, regional and national level, picks up the milestone events of the development of these institutions, and explores the relationship between institutional development and professionalisation. At the national level, the study focuses on the institutional development in such developed translation services market as North America and Europe (especially Western and Northern Europe), and two case studies are undertaken on The American Translators Associations and The Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und übersetzer e.V.(Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators). The author believes that the actions and measures taken by such institutions in promoting translation professionalisation represent the best practices within the translation industry, from which other countries can draw lessons and study.Based on such a belief and in view of the current situation of the institutional development of Chinese translation sector, the thesis makes five recommendations for the institutional development in China. First, more inclusive certification should be developed to provide accreditation of translation companies and training programs. Second, a register of certified translators and interpreters should be created to allow for exact retrieval. Third,“sworn” or “state-authorized” translators should be experimented in the field of legal translating and interpreting. Fourth, more forms of continuing education should be devised to educate the clients and the general public. Lastly, an independent market-oriented institution based on China should be created.