Centre for Translation Studies’ Annual Lecture

“Communicating myriad emotions across cultures: a perspective from translator studies”

Dr Severine Hubscher-Davidson, Open University

In 2004, Hu proposed the term “translator studies” to refer to all research that places translators at the centre of focus, including work on the translator’s subjective involvement. This presentation will address translator’s subjective involvement through the lens of emotions. Emotions are complex phenomena comprising experiential, behavioural, and physiological components. They vary depending on context, culture, and individual differences, and they can influence planning, decision-making, and goal-setting. As such, they permeate all aspects of a translator’s work. Drawing on the affective psychology literature and translators’ published accounts, this presentation will explore some common and some unique experiences of recreating myriad emotions across cultures. In this way, the presentation aims to highlight and make more visible what Chesterman (2021, 244) called “the key human elements of translation”.