Prevodjenje u italijanskoj univerzitetskoj praksi

Ljiljana Banjanin TRANSLATION IN ITALIAN UNIVERSITY DIDACTICS Summary Translation is part of the Italian cultural, literary and didactic tradition, associated with the study of classical languages, and of Latin in particular, it was deemed the best method for the study and practice of Latin. Through the centuries translation held a privileged position, but, with the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, it was rejected and replaced with the introduction of the direct, intensive, audio-visual method, based on a functional use of the foreign language, without reference to the mother tongue. Positioned between these two extremes of glorification and censure, translation today, and since the latter end of the twentieth century, has earned itself the place which it deserves in the study of foreign languages at all levels, thanks, above all, to the results of theoretical research, which has highlighted its great complexities. The aim of this paper is to present the status of translation within the Italian university system before and after the reform of the university system which, with effect from the academic year 2001/2002, introduced the “3+2” degree paths. Translation occupies an important place both in three-year first degrees (above all in linguistic mediation) and in master's degrees, where it is a subject in its own right. Taking its cue from direct experience of translation courses, the paper lays out the possible uses of Serbian to Italian translation, incidentally, no simple task in itself if one wishes to actuate all the systemic aspects of the foreign language. In our case, as regards the teaching of Serbian as a foreign language to Italians students, or to Slavs who have been through the Italian secondary school system, translation has proved to be one of the most appropriate tools with which to consolidate a theoretical knowledge of the functioning of a language from a different family. The basic requirements are sound linguistic foundations, for certain, but also extra-linguistic knowledge (cultural in general, literary etc.) which contributes to a more complete training. Key words: translation, Italian universities, Bologna reform, Serbian/ foreign language, Italian/mother tongue.