By Maria Annukka Jakkula.
A rare occasion of focusing on concepts translationality and translatoriality in the field of Translation Studies took place on 7 November 2025 at Tampere University. The Unit for Languages had the honour of hosting professor Piotr Blumczynski (Queen’s University Belfast). He had kindly accepted the invitation presented by the InterReality research group. The seminar was organised in collaboration with the research group Changing Translatorial Landscapes.
The seminar “Translationality and Translatoriality” on 7 November 2025 began with opening presentations by professors Piotr Blumczynski (Queen’s University Belfast) and Kaisa Koskinen (Tampere University). The two presentations opened fresh vistas to the concepts. A panel of the presenters followed, supported by postdoctoral researcher Riku Haapaniemi (Tampere University) as the discussant.
The content sparked reciprocal discussion between the audience and the speakers, looking towards the future of our discipline. The two professors engaged in the discussion that truly pushed disciplinary boundaries.
– I’m glad that we’re having this discussion, as it builds foresight for the future while helping us understand the past better. Discussion on the fundamentals – on the raisons d’être and the multidisciplinary relevance and remit of our field – is a sign of a healthy and vibrant discipline, professor Koskinen commented.
– Translation is everywhere, and it is transformative in essence. To translate is to move meaningful things around, and it is worthwhile to change the perspective and to perceive translation as a subject – what does translation do to us. Translation Studies still has challenges to tackle in the society, and that’s where we also need new academic concepts, professor Blumczynski contemplated.
– It was highly interesting to serve as the discussant for what seemed a discussion on shifting paradigms. I’m simultaneously inspired and grateful for this experience, postdoctoral researcher Haapaniemi stated.
The participants agreed on having attended a rare occasion where fine-tuned angles to the concepts of translationality and translatoriality had been discussed. Let’s see what the future brings!
More information: Prof. Kaisa Koskinen (kaisa.koskinen@tuni.fi)
