Nida School for Translation Studies (NSTS)
Misano adriatico (Rimini), Italy
September 7-19, 2009

Theme: "Translation and Culture"

The NSTS is a program of the E.A.Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship at the American Bible Society. Its mission is to support advanced training and research into translation studies (understood as inclusive of the history and practice of Bible translation). Supporting institutions include the Translation Center at UMass-Amherst, Istituto San Pellegrino, the Society of Biblical Literature, The United Bible Societies (UBS), and SIL International. The theme of the 2009 session is “Translation and Culture.” 
 
Nida Professors
Theo Hermans (University College London): leading authority in translation and culture; professor of Dutch and Comparative Literature; author of The Conference of the Tongues (St. Jerome, 2007)

Tan Zaixi (Hong Kong Baptist University): Professor , Department of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts; leading authority in Chinese translation discourse and translation theory and history; research fellow Centre for Translation; author of A Short History of Translation in the West (The Commercial Press, 2006)

Special Lecturers
Leonard Greenspoon (Creighton University): Klutznick Professor in Jewish Civilization and Professor of Classical and Near Eastern Studies and of Theology; author of Jewish Translators and Translations of the Bible (forthcoming)

Suzanne J. Levine (University of California-Santa Barbara): Professor, Spanish and Portuguese Department; translator and scholar of Latin American literature; author of The Subversive Scribe: Translating Latin American Literature (1991; forthcoming reissue, Dalkey Archive, 2009)

Lynne Long (Warwick University): member of the Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies; research interests in the history of Bible translation into English and translation of dramatic texts; author of Translation and Religion: Holy Untranslatable (Multilingual Matters, 2005)

Vincente Rafael (University of Washington): Professor of History with research interests in translation and conversion in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period; author of The Promise of the Foreign: Nationalism and the Technics of Translation in the Spanish Philippines (Duke UP, 2005); Contracting Colonialism: Translations and Christian Conversion in Tagalog Society under early Spanish Rule (Duke UP, 1993)

Faculty
Stefano Arduini (University of Urbino)
Steve Berneking (The Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship)
Edwin Gentzler (UMass-Amherst)
Valerie Henitiuk (University of East Anglia)
James Maxey (Lutheran Bible Translators)
Christiane Nord (University of Magdeburg [retired])
Paul Soukup, SJ (Santa Clara University)
Philip H. Towner (The Nida Institute for Biblical Scholarship)
María José García Vizcaíno (Montclair State University)
 
Governing Committee
Stefano Arduini (University of Urbino)
Steve Berneking (Nida Institute)
Roy Ciampa (Gordon Conwell Seminary)
Simon Crisp (United Bible Societies)
Edwin Gentzler (UMass-Amherst)
Bryan Harmelink (SIL International)
Valerie Henitiuk (University of East Anglia)
Bob Hodgson (Nida Institute)
James Maxey (Lutheran Bible Translators)
Phil Noss (Nida Institute)
Kent Richards (Society of Biblical Literature; Emory University)
Phil Towner (Nida Institute)
Maria Tymozcko (UMass-Amherst)

Themes or broad, cross-disciplinary topics into which individual presentations will fit
Transdisciplinarity or Hybridity (S. Arduini)
Translation and Creativity (V. Henitiuk)
Code Mixing and Translation (M.-J. Garcia Vizcaino)
Gender Issues in Translation (L. Long)
Performance and Orality (J. Maxey)
Mediation and Culture (T. Hermans)
Lateral Models and Theories (E. Gentzler)
Chinese Translation Discourse (T.H. Tan)
Jewish Translation Discourse (L. Greenspoon)
Originals as Translations (S.J. Levine)
Process and Principles (V. Henitiuk with J. Maxey)
Functionalism (Chr. Nord)
Communication and Media (P. Soukup, S.J.)
Poetry and Poetics (K. Richards)
Signs and Culture (S. Nergaard)
Translation as a Power Activity (P. Towner)

Associates
The 2009 NSTS will admit a globally representative class of 20 qualified associates. Successful candidates will hold a completed or nearly completed doctorate in a discipline related to translation studies or biblical studies as well as field and/or professional experience in translation. The NSTS will comprise lectures and seminars, tutorials and directed readings. Prior to arriving at the School, associates will be expected to submit a draft research paper, engaging with the theme of the School. After revising this draft in light of the presentations, associates will present and defend a second draft during the course of the School. An abstract (250-300 words) of the paper must be submitted with the application.

Expenses
Associates will be responsible for their own airfare and local transportation to and from Misano. The NSTS will waive fees and cover the cost of room and board. Associates requiring visas to enter Italy are encouraged to begin the visa application process immediately upon acceptance into the School.

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“The Nida School is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with a group of engaged and engaging individuals on various aspects of translation theory and practice. It offers an incredibly stimulating two weeks of intellectual exchange and networking, in a beautiful setting on the Adriatic coast. Highly recommended.” (Valerie Henitiuk, University of East Anglia)

“The strategy of bringing together translation studies scholars and Bible translators is unique to the Nida School in Misano.  New and innovative translation studies scholars discuss ideas with talented and experienced Bible translators, producing dynamic interactions. And considering the beautiful setting on the Adriatic seacoast, the result is an ideal academic retreat. I remember my time there fondly.” (Edwin Gentzler, University of Massachusetts-Amherst)