Abstract:

The paper deals with creating texts for translation assignments for students in order to develop their translation skills and some of their key competences (e.g. their intercultural competence and language competence).

Teachers of translation may face difficulties when selecting texts for translation assignments to be given to students. Based on author's own authentic experience in university translator training as well as teacher training, it can be claimed that teachers often use texts available online or the ones they translated themselves. Although this is common practice among many translation teachers, it might be difficult to find original works that would meet the requirements of a certain group of students or some that would cover particular translation problems a teacher wants to discuss in a class. If teachers want to demonstrate a specific problem separately or include various translation problems in one text, finding appropriate materials can be a real challenge. When writing their own texts, teachers can include any specifics they would like to talk about with their students. Translating texts created by teachers who know the needs of their students appears to be an attractive way for students to broaden and improve their knowledge and skills related to deeper analysis of texts, cultural awareness and creativity.

Considering the number of texts one has to read and considering the amount of time one has to spend looking for suitable materials for students to give them the possibility to try to deal with selected types of translation problems, the idea of creating their own text for translation might seem like a good idea. That is why this paper deals with creating original texts for students' translation assignments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this creative process? Based on author's own experience with creating various materials for students to be translated and discussed in classes, this contribution is focused on this issue from the point of view of a teacher. Moreover, it aims to provide some of the hints and examples. Of course, these might be perceived as subjective, but hopefully also useful for others who might decide to try to create their own texts for translation assignments.

Keywords:

Translation, text analysis, teaching translation, creating texts.