TRI1102 : Translation Theory and Practice 1 - Part 1

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

•For students to gain a foundational knowledge of the key theoretical and practical issues involved in translating.
•Out of their mother tongue (in one of 2 language pairs, e.g. English<>French, English<>German and English<>Spanish), for students to:
•Develop grounding in text-analysis, translating and translating-teamwork skills in in 2-3 genres chosen for this stage (e.g. tourism, publicity, technical/scientific);
•Be aware of how the Stage’s key genres communicate messages in linguistic and interpersonal terms, and the implications this has for their translation
•Gain an understanding of their own and others’ translation practices, as a basis for further translation studies at stages 2 and 4.

This module is for Exchange students studying at Newcastle University for Semester 1 only.
It is suitable for languages students who have never studied translation studies before only.

Outline Of Syllabus

In this module, students will familiarise themselves with translation theory and practice through the prism of the topics listed hereunder (this list is indicative only, the definite list of lectures can be found in the module booklet):
- Translation techniques (cultural transposition, compensation etc.) ;
- Grammatical, lexical, sentential, inter-sentential and inter-textual issues in translation;
- Translation difficulty (literal meaning, connotative meaning etc.);
- Stylistic editing.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture31:003:00PiP
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion115:0015:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials33:009:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Students will normally follow the language-specific strand (11 sessions of 1 hour per language)
Guided Independent StudySkills practice162:0062:00N/A
Total100:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
TRI1002Translation Theory and Practice 1
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Along with structured guided learning (“lecture materials”), the lectures will give students grounding in the key theoretical and practical issues involved in translation as outlined in the syllabus.

Small-group teaching will give students the opportunity to apply practically the theory covered in the lectures by giving lecturer input on translation skills development. This will allow students to develop written, communication and problem-solving skills. Small-group teaching will also give training in translation commentary writing, and link principles input to students’ own translations.

Skills practice allows students to prepare and practise translation tasks, and to develop translation studies knowledge.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio1M50A portfolio of selected translations (approx 500 words source text) and reflective commentary
Portfolio1M50Open-book translation & reflective commentary (300 word ST and 400 word commentary)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MRegular short homework translations.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Under pressure of tight deadlines, the submissions assess students’ command of translation skills presented and practised in the module. These skills include PC-based writing and web reference skills – presented and practised in the module. The required commentary allows students to demonstrate that they can identify potential translation issues and problems in a source text and that they have started developing a toolkit of practical translating strategies. Similarly, the Portfolio tests the students’ practical translation skills and reflective commentary tests the translation-studies knowledge outcomes of the module and their reflective integration with translation practice. Homework texts are crucial for skills development.

Reading Lists

Timetable