Fostering collaboration in the classroom: A collaborative translation of a literary text

Abstract

This paper reflects on an experience of collaborative translation developed in the second semester of 2024 in a course on the practice of translating literary texts. Based on the idea that translation, as a craft, has become an increasingly collaborative work and drawing on authors such as Kiraly (2000 and 2003) who point out the ability to collaborate as an important skill to be developed among learners, this article reports on an experience of collaborative translation of a literary text carried out by a class of 12 learners, bringing both our views, as teachers, and the opinions expressed by the learners in their (self)assessments. Although it was positive in terms of textual production and grad assignment, the experience revealed the importance of discussing, with future learners, issues regarding project management, distribution of tasks and delegation of activities to avoid an overload of work on some members who are more committed.