Translational Activity Using Works of Children’s Literature Applied to Foreign Language Teaching

Abstract

The use of translation in foreign language classes has come through many changes. From being the basis of the Grammar-Translation Approach to becoming completely absent in the Direct Approach, now it is slowly gaining acceptance again in the classroom. Translation as a teaching tool, in other words, when the teacher uses it to reinforce and check learning, is of great value and when contextualized with socio-cultural elements it becomes even more meaningful and effective. It also contributes to the formation of cultural identity as well as to the improvement of knowledge of the mother tongue. Thus, in this article we suggest using a translational activity based on two classics of world literature: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Le Avventure di Pinocchio (1883) in order to bring the student closer not only to the language, but also to the culture in which it is inserted. For this, it will be based on the proposals made by Balboni (2011), Romanelli (2009), Hurtado Albir (1998), Atkinson (1993). The translational activities are addressed to undergraduate students of English and Italian Language courses with levels C1 to C2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to be done in two classes with duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. In groups, students translate parts of the original works and present their versions in the classroom where the teacher will present the socio-cultural elements underlying the texts, besides introducing to them one or more versions of the work translated into Portuguese showing the students how it is possible to have several readings and translations from a single text.