Skip to main content

Module

CHN7005 : Foundation of English to Chinese Translation

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jessica Lin
  • 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 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.

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 practice122:0022:00N/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 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 Methods

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

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402M5024h Take-home translation: ST of 750 words (+/-15%).Completed by students using their computers, trans networks, analysis & researc
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M50CA1: extended assignment comprising translation (source text of 700-1000 words) 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 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.

Reading Lists

Timetable