070256 UE Foreign Languages in Historical Science (2023S)

The title of this course is a literal translation from the curriculum of the history program at the University of Vienna: a classic case of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The title is somehow understandable but does not correspond to academic use. In English, historical science means those techniques of historical research that apply scientific methods. These include, for example, archaeology or historical forensics. History, as it is practiced academically, cannot be proven scientifically. History is the study of historical events, processes, ideas, etc., and is not scientific, for instance, as findings of physics. Its leading methods are interpretation and translation. The translation of texts always includes their interpretation and vice versa—the texts in this focus on critical development studies and global food history.
Every science creates its language. That excludes everyday language, for example, opinions. Every academic community defines methods, and this includes the definition of terms. Without clearly defined terms, researchers cannot connect their work to debates in their field.
Global history and global studies are about debunking and reflecting on so-called Western, Eurocentric concepts. English is the dominant language in this field. This transcontinental language is not neutral. On the contrary, its use can cement universalizing ideas that ultimately fall under Eurocentrism.
The learning goal of this course is to understand and practice interpretation and translation as the central challenge to historical work.
Depending on how many languages the students of the course speak, documents will be selected, presented, translated, and interpreted in academic English. Depending on the language, the respective academic terms are identified, and their differences are worked out.
The use of electronic translation tools like Deepl Translate is welcome.