(UN) TRANSLATABILITY OF I.T. TERMINOLOGY

THE CLASSROOM PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

1. On translatability – background, viewpoints, approaches
In order to set an accurate background to the issue under focus – translatability, as well as
untranslatability of texts at various levels of approach — linguistic (lexical, grammatical) and
cultural — a brief historical review is necessary, as it can show the various dominant trends
underlying the different options of translators throughout the last two centuries.
As De Pedro (1999) points out in an extensive study on translatability of texts from a
historical perspective, recent theories have maintained (under the attention of the scientific
world) the concept of untranslatability, a superficial attitude, in the author’s opinion, as it
resulted from two main sources. On the one hand, from the expansion of the concept of
translation itself, and, on the other hand, from the wish to move on from traditional,
ideologically motivated arguments, which could be perceived as problem rising.