Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

Students must have completed Level C French, or equivalent.
Only students who are English or French native speakers should take this module.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, the module aims to:

- build on language skills gained at Stages 1, 2 and 3
- provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the French language and with the ability to use it at a high level of proficiency in professional, academic and social environments
- prepare students for postgraduate study in areas that make extensive and intensive use of the target language
- develop students’ translation skills (into English) and interpreting skills (into and from French), to an advanced level of competence

Outline Of Syllabus

This module comprises two components: written translation (into English) and liaison interpreting (into and from French). It is aimed at final year students of French who have reached a near-native command of the language.

The translation and liaison interpreting tasks are based on topical themes from the media. Liaison interpreting will also include “business-like” situations and exchanges.
Specific topics and materials based on current issues will be provided in class.

Sessions will include
- Note-taking for interpreting
- Interpreting and translation techniques
- Using appropriate register/style

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have gained knowledge in:

- The use of appropriate sentence and text structures, lexicon and register in a range of translation tasks.
- The use of appropriate techniques, lexicon and register in a range of liaison interpreting tasks.
- All areas of grammar, vocabulary and background knowledge related to the skills listed below.
- Take effective notes by hand (listen for gist and for detail)

Intended Skill Outcomes

1.       Subject-Specific skills:
By the end of the course, students will have gained experience in:

- using complex lexical and grammatical structures in a range of advanced discourse types, both spoken and written
- understanding, using and evaluating information from authentic spoken sources; liaison interpreting
- written translation from French into English.

2. Cognitive/intellectual skills:
Students will further develop their ability to:
- locate, make use of and critically evaluate materials for this course other than those provided by the lecturer
- apply and evaluate a range of learning strategies appropriate to the demands of the course
- work independently and confidently, on their own or as part of a group, either within or outside the classroom
- conduct research using the Internet and other sources in order to contribute their own materials to
the course

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Language classes will introduce, model and offer guidance in each of the skills that students are required to practise during the course (e.g. summary and essay writing, intensive reading, taking part in critical discussions, oral presentation, translation and liaison interpreting, etc.).

Language classes will introduce, model and offer guidance in each of the skills that students are required to practise during the course (translation and liaison interpreting).
Group work will offer students an opportunity to work in small groups (in the target language and in English) under close supervision of the lecturer. These classes will focus on the skills listed in the outline syllabus.

Teaching will be in the target language and in English.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment of interpreting is performed in a setting that is as close to a real-life situation as possible.

Translation is assessed by means of an examination in order to ensure that the students’ output is produced in identical conditions and is their own work.

The interpreting mock exam and practice translation help students assess their progress before the formal examinations take place. Formative feedback will be provided regularly.

* (Continued from above)...and listen and convey information into English and the Target language in a prompt and professional manner. Reasonable adjustments can be made if required as part of a student support plan.

** 60 minutes computer exam with 5 additional minutes to upload the completed examination onto Blackboard.

General Notes

N/A