Empowering Practitioners through Theoretical Insight: Functionalism in Action
Empowering Practitioners through Theoretical Insight: Functionalism in Action
This webinar will trace the evolution of modern translation and interpreting theories, exploring how the field has developed and how these ideas shape our work in academia today. It will then delve into the practical application of key theoretical frameworks, particularly functional theories in translation and linguistics, within community settings. With this foundation, the speaker will discuss the roles of translators, interpreters, and users in community translation and interpreting, the differing views on translation quality among stakeholders, and how theoretical insights can empower practitioners in their everyday practice.
After completing this webinar, participants will gain:
Knowledge of:
- Systemic functional linguistics and functional translation studies
- How systemic functional linguistics can be applied to translation and interpreting
practice - Theoretical approaches to translation and interpreting practice, particularly in relation to quality assessment
- Two assessment tools for evaluating translation quality and identifying factors that contribute to poor translation quality
Skills to:
- Apply functional translation and linguistic theories
Evaluate translation quality using a theory-informed framework - Use introductory assessment tools to identify factors contributing to poor translation quality
- Integrate theoretical insights into reflective and evidence-based professional decision-making
Presenter
Dr Wei Teng is a researcher, educator, and practitioner with expertise in Community Translation and Interpreting (CT&I). A full member of the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters and a NAATI Certified Provisional Interpreter, he integrates professional practice with scholarship. His research combines CT&I studies with Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), advancing socially responsive approaches to multilingual communication and service delivery.
He won a New Zealand MBIE Science Whitinga Fellowship (2022-2023), and currently leads a project combining concepts from SFL, psychology, and community engagement to evaluate the clinical validity of AI-generated translations of mental-health screening tools for Asian communities.
Self-enrolment Certified Practitioners
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