Transdisciplinarity as translation

Abstract

In doctoral level professional studies and work based learning, we are in a constant and intensified mode of ‘trans-lating’ across different realms of experience, domains of practice, epistemological paradigms, objects of knowledge, learning and relational styles, values and purposes. The intensification is propelled by survival in a globalised, post modern, technological world of multiple truths, multiple voices, limited resources and indeed limited time. This set of conditions has rekindled interest, or rather an imperative, to regenerate Thoth/Hermes, progenitor of hermeneutics and his outstanding skills in the art of trans-lation which negotiated across difference respecting all sides and holding them in communicative balance so that the ‘knowing’ on each side could be trans-formed by the ‘knowing’ of the other. If we are to avoid a paradigmatic colonialism that converts or dominates to arrive at homogeneity, we need to develop higher level skills in negotiating ‘between’ to co-create knowledge and trans-form how we think and what we do to meet the challenges of the future. Trans-disciplinarity seeks to move forward in this way. This chapter looks at the role of trans-lation and at the leading edge thinking of such fields as environmental sciences and contemporary translation studies to formulate a contribution to explicating and operationalising trans-disciplinarity to arrive at ‘metanoia’, another way of knowing. This is of interest to those who are planning to undertake collaborative research using a transdisciplinary approach and those involved in supervising doctoral research.