Chapter 10. EU institutional websites
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Łucja Biel
Abstract
This chapter uses corpus methods to explore how distance and power asymmetries are mediated by EU institutions in their website netspeak – the digital Eurolect – and subsequently reflected in Polish translations against the background of Polish domestic institutions’ websites. At the policy level, the selective translation of EU content into only procedural languages builds asymmetries between official languages. The study analysed two dimensions of translations: (1) grade of specialisation (EU terminology, EUese), and (2) engagement strategies positioning institutions and citizens in a discourse. EU and domestic websites show preferences for different types of engagement strategies, with the former oriented at downplaying power but maintaining a respectful distance while the latter decreasing distance through directness, personalisation, and informalisation.
Abstract
This chapter uses corpus methods to explore how distance and power asymmetries are mediated by EU institutions in their website netspeak – the digital Eurolect – and subsequently reflected in Polish translations against the background of Polish domestic institutions’ websites. At the policy level, the selective translation of EU content into only procedural languages builds asymmetries between official languages. The study analysed two dimensions of translations: (1) grade of specialisation (EU terminology, EUese), and (2) engagement strategies positioning institutions and citizens in a discourse. EU and domestic websites show preferences for different types of engagement strategies, with the former oriented at downplaying power but maintaining a respectful distance while the latter decreasing distance through directness, personalisation, and informalisation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors ix
- Introduction 1
-
Section I. Revisiting the foundations of asymmetry
- Chapter 1. Translating strangers 15
- Chapter 2. Negotiating asymmetry 35
- Chapter 3. Helpers, professional authority, and pathologized bodies 55
- Chapter 4. An information asymmetry framework for strategic translation policy in multinational corporations 77
- Chapter 5. Tom, Dick and Harry as well as Fido and Puss in boots are translators 101
-
Section II. Unveiling the structure
- Chapter 6. Child language brokering in Swedish welfare institutions 125
- Chapter 7. Responsibility, powerlessness, and conflict 145
- Chapter 8. Of places, spaces, and faces 169
- Chapter 9. Translating values 197
- Chapter 10. EU institutional websites 227
-
Section III. Resisting asymmetries
- Chapter 11. Translation, multilingualism and power differential in contemporary African literature 255
- Chapter 12. Small yet powerful 269
- Chapter 13. Against the asymmetry of the post-Francoist canon 291
- Chapter 14. Citizens as agents of translation versions 313
- Chapter 15. (Re)locating translation within asymmetrical power dynamics 335
- Chapter 16. Agency and social responsibility in the translation of the migration crisis 361
- Index 379
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Contributors ix
- Introduction 1
-
Section I. Revisiting the foundations of asymmetry
- Chapter 1. Translating strangers 15
- Chapter 2. Negotiating asymmetry 35
- Chapter 3. Helpers, professional authority, and pathologized bodies 55
- Chapter 4. An information asymmetry framework for strategic translation policy in multinational corporations 77
- Chapter 5. Tom, Dick and Harry as well as Fido and Puss in boots are translators 101
-
Section II. Unveiling the structure
- Chapter 6. Child language brokering in Swedish welfare institutions 125
- Chapter 7. Responsibility, powerlessness, and conflict 145
- Chapter 8. Of places, spaces, and faces 169
- Chapter 9. Translating values 197
- Chapter 10. EU institutional websites 227
-
Section III. Resisting asymmetries
- Chapter 11. Translation, multilingualism and power differential in contemporary African literature 255
- Chapter 12. Small yet powerful 269
- Chapter 13. Against the asymmetry of the post-Francoist canon 291
- Chapter 14. Citizens as agents of translation versions 313
- Chapter 15. (Re)locating translation within asymmetrical power dynamics 335
- Chapter 16. Agency and social responsibility in the translation of the migration crisis 361
- Index 379
