General linguistic issues [LROMB318]

Learning outcomes

Reading the scientific literature on a chosen theme, commenting on the diversity of approaches and raising the issues of the theme for general linguistics are skills that will be developed during this course.

Objectives

The aim is to enable students to discuss in depth questions concerning language functioning, based on various theoretical approaches.

Content

The course will focus on translation. However, the aim is not to train as a translator, but to reflect on the transition from one language to another. We will look at different theories (including some that deem translation impossible) and we will also look at the question of machine translation: why is it still the subject of ridicule despite the great human and financial needs? The problem of translation between a signed language (visual-gestural language, in its oral tradition) and a vocal language (audio-oral language, in its written modality) will also be addressed: what specificities does this language pair bring about, compared to more classical translation situations?