Summer School Authenticity, Adaptability and AI 

Balancing Trust in Translation and Intercultural Communication

Overview

Originally rooted in tourism studies, the concept of authenticity is applied to critical issues in translation and intercultural communication. In tourism, authenticity includes:

objective authenticity (genuineness of cultural artefacts)

constructive authenticity (influence of social and cultural narratives)

existential authenticity (individual experiences seeking meaningful connections)

This multidimensional view emphasises that authenticity is not only about preserving the meanings of the original, be it a source text or other semiotic resource, but also about how it is perceived and experienced by different audiences. In translation and intercultural communication, authenticity is about more than the reproduction of content; it is also about the construction, adaptation and perception of meaning in different contexts.

This workshop will explore how authenticity is constructed in an era increasingly influenced by AI. While AI tools offer increased efficiency and accessibility, can they truly capture cultural depth without human input? Revisiting the concepts of trust and cultural adaptability, we will explore the perceived divide between technological and human performance.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, collaborative working groups. Invited speakers will provide a reading list before the start of the activities.

The Summer School requires full-time on-site attendance, and will be hosted by Treviso Campus of Ca’ Foscari University. Lectures and tutorials will be in English, with the following schedule: Monday to Friday, 9.30 am - 1.00 pm and 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm.

Target audience

Who is it aimed at

36 participants, distributed as follows: 

8 places reserved for MA and PhD students from Advanced Schools recognised by the Italian Ministry. There is no fee and accommodation will be provided free of charge. Priority will be given to students working on their final theses

8 places for MA and PhD students from Ca’ Foscari University, which will be offered free of charge. Preference will be given to students working on their final thesis

20 places for participants from other national and international institutions: MA and PhD students in translation, interpreting, intercultural communication, cultural studies, and related disciplines; trainers, researchers and professionals with academic backgrounds in these fields

Requirements

Good knowledge of English (expected level B2+ or C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CEFR).

Lecturers

Prof. Silvia Bernardini, University of Bologna, Italy

Prof. Ilse Feinauer, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Prof. Adriano Ferraresi, University of Bologna, Italy

Prof. Federico Gaspari [ITA], Università Telematica San Raffaele of Rome, Italy

Prof. David Katan [ITA], University of Salento, Italy

Dr. Adrià Martín-Mor, Ph.D., California State University Long Beach, US

Prof. Loredana Polezzi, Stony Brook University, US

Prof. Anthony Pym, University ofi Melbourne, Australia; Distinguished Professor of Translation and Intercultural Studies at Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Spain

Prof. Andrea Rizzi, University of Melbourne, Australia

Dr.Giulia Togato, Ph.D., California State University Long Beach, US

Program and schedule

How to apply

To apply, fill in and submit the application form by 1 st May 2025.
Admitted participants will be notified via email by 5th May 2025. 

Fees

300 euros. This includes 30 academic hours of tuition over 5 days, coffee breaks and lunches. Deadline for fee payment: 10th May 2025.
Coffee breaks and lunches will be provided onsite, please indicate any allergies or intolerances in the application form.

Further information