Translation studies is an academic discipline that systematically studies the theory, description, and application of translation. It is an interdisciplinary field touching on areas such as linguistics, literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. Translation studies seeks to understand the processes involved in translation, the relationships between source and target texts, and the broader cultural and social contexts in which translation takes place.

• Pre-Discipline Phase (Before the 20th Century):
  • Historically, translation was primarily approached as a language-learning tool or a means of disseminating religious or literary texts.
  • Discussion on translation was often prescriptive, focusing on how one should translate rather than investigating what translation is.
  • Key figures include Cicero, Horace, and Martin Luther, whose writings offered reflections on translation practice, often tied to specific purposes (e.g., religious or political).
• Emergence as a Discipline (Mid-20th Century):
  • The latter half of the 20th century saw a shift towards a more systematic and theoretical approach to translation.
  • Key publications like Jean-Paul Vinay and Jean Darbelnet's "Stylistique comparée du français et de l'anglais" (1958) and Alfred Malblanc's "Stylistique comparée français-allemand" (1963) laid groundwork for comparative analysis of languages.
  • Eugene Nida's work on dynamic equivalence (1964) marked a significant move towards considering the translator's role in adapting texts for different audiences.
• Establishment of Translation Studies (1970s-1980s):
  • The formal establishment of translation studies as a distinct discipline is often attributed to James S. Holmes's paper "The Name and Nature of Translation Studies" (1972).
  • Holmes proposed a framework for the field, encompassing descriptive, theoretical, and applied branches of translation research.
  • The establishment of dedicated academic programs, journals (e.g., Target, Translation Studies), and professional organizations further solidified the field.
• Expansion and Diversification (1990s-Present):
  • Translation studies expanded significantly, incorporating insights from various fields like cultural studies, post-structuralism, and gender studies.
  • Scholars like André Lefevere and Susan Bassnett explored the role of translation in shaping cultural and ideological landscapes.
  • The rise of globalization and technology has led to new areas of focus, such as localization, audiovisual translation, and machine translation.
  • The discipline continues to evolve, addressing ethical considerations, community translation, and the impact of translation on global communication.