Language Pedagogy and Translation Studies: Towards a (Re)Definition of Translation

The aim of this chapter is to show how the field of language pedagogy, and more specifically that of language for specific purposes (LSP), could benefit from the use of translation. We give evidence that some theoretical approaches in translation studies can help language learners develop communicative competence so as to make their communication exchanges more successful. In particular, translation in LSP can help language learners bridge the gap between language and culture, between forms and uses of languages, by providing them with all the mediation, negotiation, comparison and decision-making skills which are fundamental to any language learning process. In this chapter, both functional approaches to language learning and functionalist approaches in translation studies are illustrated to show the trans-disciplinary nature of translation studies and language pedagogy in a collaborative effort to maximise positive synergies between these two disciplines. A discourse analysis pattern to support translation is proposed, and some possible applications of corpus linguistics to translation activities will also be provided.