Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to give students:
•       An understanding of practical considerations, both cultural and linguistic, in English to Chinese translation practice.
•       An understanding of how key translation studies theories can be applied as approaches in practical translation.
•       To raise awareness of translation strategies with insight into translation problems and their possible solutions.
•       Experience in translating a range of various subject areas and text types including current news, culture, science and technology, advertisement, and literature, while considering both theoretical and industry perspectives.
•       To develop an understanding of modern tools of translation to improve translation quality and efficiency.
•       An understanding of how to apply various translation skills and strategies to resolve translation problems in accordance with translation briefs and target audiences.
•       To develop skills in resolving different types of equivalence problems: semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic.
•       The ability to produce translations from English into Chinese, which after a moderate to light degree of proofreading and editing. could be used at a professional level,

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures provide fundamental translation theories. Workshops provide students with peer-learning opportunities by comparing, criticising, and discussing their own translation with classmates. The practical exercises of the first semester focus on general texts aiming at developing students' awareness of issues surrounding translating, identifying problems, and formulating strategies. The second semester focuses on texts of several subject areas for students to tackle problems specific to each area.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Over the course of the semesters, students will acquire the following knowledge outcomes:
•       Knowledge of how to tackle and translate various types of texts and subject areas.
•       Knowledge and understanding of theories and applications in translation studies.
•       Knowledge of key cultural and linguistic challenges of translating from English to Chinese.
•       Knowledge of evaluating translation work and commenting on issues arising from it.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Over the course of the semesters, students will acquire the following skill outcomes:
•       The ability to analyse, research and use information technology to improve translation quality and
efficiency.
•       The ability to translate various text types and subject areas while considering both academic and
industry perspectives.
•       The ability to apply key translation strategies and skills.
•       The ability to identify and resolve key cultural and linguistic challenges of working from English into
Chinese.
•       The ability to communicate effectively with informants to solve language and subject area problems.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module talks give an overview of the module, bring together the key elements of the module learning as well as act as a revision session for students to understand the structure of assessments. The lectures provide guidance/input in translating skills and theories. The workshops/seminars provide students with opportunities to identify and resolve their specific learning issues, allowing them to bring together ideas and exploit the benefit of peer learning. The independent study enables students to prepare, practise, and perform translating tasks. Guidance and in-depth feedback are provided for students to further improve their translation skills and awareness of issues surrounding the area of translation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The CA1 assignment performs a summative function, reflecting both the application of translation skills (in the translation component) and the application of translation theory (in the essay component). The translation exam also performs a summative function and will test the application of practical translation skills and knowledge within a time frame of 24-hours. This time frame is selected to simulate realistic translation industry conditions and time constraints.

General Notes

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