Discussion
Übersetzung* Translation* Traduction: An International Encyclopedia of Translation Studies

Christina Wipf
Abstract

Unusual ventures justify special measures. The project outlined below is such a venture. It concerns a new, large-scale encyclopedia of translation studies. Scheduled for publication by Walter de Gruyter (Berlin/New York) in 1999-2001 as part of their series of Handbooks of Linguistics and Communication Science (general editors Hugo Steger and Herbert Ernst Wiegand), the encyclopedia Übersetzung* Translation* Traduction will consist of some 400 articles spread over three volumes of around 1,000 (large-format) pages each. The editors are Armin Paul Frank (Göttingen), Norbert Greiner (Heidelberg), Theo Hermans (London), Harald Kittel (Göttingen), Werner Koller (Bergen), José Lambert (Leuven) and Fritz Paul (Göttingen).

In the following pages the editors submit their project for public scrutiny. The presentation is necessarily brief, and covers only the general nature and overall structure of the Encyclopedia. Further information, including a detailed list of individual articles, may be obtained from the editor-in-chief at the address below. The editors invite readers of Target to come forward with comments, criticism and suggestions to improve the existing concept. Please write to: Dr Harald Kittel, SFB 309 'Die Literarische Übersetzung', Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Humboldtallee 17, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany.

Table of contents

Translation plays a central role in communication between people of different languages and cultures. It constitutes both a medium of transfer and the intellectual site where linguistic and cultural boundaries are crossed. Historically speaking it would be impossible to understand the development of cultures and societies without taking the contribution of translation into [ p. 68 ]account. In various cultural traditions, moreover, individual translations have come to be regarded as outstanding cultural achievements in their own right.

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