Reviews for The Joy of Grammar: A Festschrift in Honor of James D. Maccawley

The average rating for The Joy of Grammar: A Festschrift in Honor of James D. Maccawley based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-09-28 00:00:00 Donna J Kreblin The field of teaching translation and interpreting is relatively new although as a practice and profession it is as old as the Tower of Babel. The editors in the forward of the book express their desire that this book (and the conference presentations it contains) make a difference. They say, “This book is, we hope, the enduring monument of fifty hours of intense and amicable international debate and shop-talk at Elsinore, full of descriptions of the present and visions of the future of the language professionals concerned with translation, interpreting, and interlingual transmission from the angle of teaching the art and craft to future practitioners.” Although twenty-five years old and, therefore, somewhat dated it is chalk full of ideas and information that are invaluable for those interested in this field. One of the writers points out, “Our ultimate aim is to develop latent linguistic (and cultural) talent into the professional competence of an expert, who, as a specialist in the fields of language, culture and communication, can work as a generalist in a great many areas where translation [and interpreting] is required.” This is still the goal of every educator, and thus the material continues to be relevant and useful. Highlighting the role of the translator and interpreter two presenters say it this way. “The task of the translator is ultimately quite immense: the transmission of culture. In the final analysis every translator shoulders that burden, for the translator is always first and foremost a messenger working between cultures. In translation, we pay homage to a text in one language by giving it life in another.” The other states, “The true interpreter must remain a largely anonymous linguistic middleman in meetings. This is a balancing act requiring self-discipline, tact and a high degree of awareness of his true mission: to act as the link of communication.” While the interpreter facilitates conversation and the interpreter the written word, both are brokering relationships and understanding regardless of the medium. One presenter sums up the task as, “Translators and interpreters, colleagues that they are indeed, must become friends and allies in the hard battle to upgrade the profession, improve the craft, help develop theory, mold the young, and establish that sorely needed link between theory, research, observation and practice.” The challenge has been presented. All of those in the profession are responsible for the next generation whether in an academic setting or in the general populous. This book gives us a great foundation upon which to build what is to come. The editors and the presenters have done humanity a great service, especially in an increasingly cosmopolitan world which has come to all of our doorsteps.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-06-10 00:00:00 Suzanne Simcox such a great book to read...