NGO Translation and Translator Practices Explored Through an Ideological Lens

This thesis project looks at translation and translator practices in the world of Canadian development-NGOs. Given this context, both translation and development studies are drawn upon within this project. Focusing on the ideological aspects of these practices, theories of functionalism and critical discourse analysis (CDA), as they relate specifically to translation studies, are employed. After presenting this framework, two types of analyses follow, which allow us to interrogate the ideology of such NGO translation and translator practices. First, the specific translations found in the promotional videos drawn from one organization, Plan Canada, are presented and analyzed. Later, translators and their practices are investigated though empirical research and more general investigations of several different NGOs’ website content. Finally, how ideology is manifested in these practices is related to greater ideological tendencies within our global society.