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Module

CHN7004 : Fundamentals of Translation (Chinese to English)

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Mr Dariush Robertson
  • Lecturer: Ms Michelle Deeter
  • Owning School: Modern Languages
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

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

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

This module aims to give students:
•       An understanding of practical considerations, both cultural and linguistic, in Chinese to English
translation practice.
•       Experience in translating a range of articles related to tourism, culture, societal trends, business,
current news, and literature, while considering both theoretical and industry perspectives.
•       To develop an understanding of how to utilise the modern tools of translation to improve quality and
efficiency, including internet resources, informant networks, and MT post-editing.
•       An understanding of how key translation studies theories can be applied as approaches in translation,
including Dynamic Equivalence, Foreignization and Domestication, Skopos Theory, and Norms in
Translation.
•       An understanding of how to apply various translation skills and strategies to resolve translation
problems in accordance with translation briefs and target audiences.
•       The ability to produce translations from Chinese into English, which could be used at a professional
level, after a moderate to light degree of proofreading and editing.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is divided into smaller blocks of different subject areas. These blocks focus on translating various types of articles in relation to key translation theory approaches, industry trends, and the corresponding translation skills and strategies. The blocks include areas such as key research and analysis skills, machine translation post-editing skills, as well as approaches linked to dynamic equivalence, foreignization and domestication, skopos theory, and the theory of norms in translation. These topics will be explored via the practice of translating a range of articles on tourism, culture, modern societal trends, business, current news, and literature.

Each block typically comprises of two weeks. In week one, the lecturer provides formative feedback on homework (given the previous week). As well as this formative feedback, the lecturer provides both professional and theoretical context, and focuses on key problems via peer discussion and class discussion.

In week two, the lecturer provides students with a guided translation practice session, so that students can put the knowledge they have gained in the previous week to practice and develop a range of intended skills. In the second week, the lecture performs the role of both head translator and at the end of the sessions, summarises and contextualises the findings to consolidate the learning of the intended knowledge and skills.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture92:0018:00Present-in-person.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion150:0050:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture91:009:00Present-in-person.
Guided Independent StudySkills practice112:0022:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching91:009:00Present-in-person.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study190:0090:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk12:002:00Present-in-person.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

•       The lectures contain a combination of feedback on homework, as well as the introduction of new knowledge
relating to the application of translation theory, skills, techniques, and industry perspective.
•       The seminars focus on the application of translation theory, skills, techniques, and industry
perspective in live translation practice, where the lecturer performs the role of both head translator,
and lecturer. The idea is that students can put to practice all they have learned from the previous
lecture, in live targeted translation exercises, with the guidance of the lecturer, and via group
discussions and learning.

Assessment Methods

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

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402A5024h Take-home translation: ST of 600 – 800 Chinese characters resulting in an English TT of 400–700 words.
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M50CA1: extended assignment comprising translation (source text of 700-1000 characters) and commentary (1000-1200 words).
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 exercise1MIndependent translation practice set as homework.
Written exercise2MIndependent translation practice set as homework.
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 professional skills assessment 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.

Reading Lists

Timetable