CHN8035 : Chinese to/from English Subtitle and Video Game Translation
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ya-Yun Chen
- Lecturer: Mr Dariush Robertson
- 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 introduces students to the concepts and theory of subtitling and video game localisation, helps them become aware of cultural differences, and develops their knowledge about cross-cultural communications via mass media and audio-visual media, such as film, TV programmes, and on-line games.
This module aims at helping students acquire skills and strategies for translating and dubbing Chinese-English subtitles of films, videos, and television programmes from a range of genres, including feature films and documentaries. It also aims at helping students develop skills and strategies, including transcreation skills, for video game localisation, including different formats and genres of texts involved in video game localisation.
It develops students’ ability to analyse the audio, visual, textual, and plot components in films and video games from the linguistic, cultural, pragmatic and art-design perspectives. The module provides students with hands-on experience of translating, transcreating and subtitling by using subtitling/translation software and through assignments.
The module develops students' ability to work independently and cooperatively, including presentation of the subtitles they create. Students are expected to complete a subtitling or video game assignment as part of assessment.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module provides students with:
• an introduction of concepts and professional practice of subtitling, dubbing, and video game localisation;
• practical experience of translating subtitles from English to Chinese (50%) and Chinese to English (50%) by using sample films and television programmes from a range of genres, including feature and documentary etc.;
• practical experience of translating and transcreating texts involved in video game localisation;
• opportunities to create subtitles by using free and commercial subtitling software;
• guidance in developing knowledge of cross-cultural communication through analysing audiovisual materials; and
• an awareness of pragmatics in cross-cultural communication.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 14 | 1:30 | 21:00 | Present-in-person |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 12 | 4:00 | 48:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:30 | 9:00 | 4 Present-in-person, 2 Synchronous online |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 2 | 8:00 | 16:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:30 | 3:00 | Present-in-person |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture materials provide guidance and input in relevant professional techniques and theory. The workshops provide opportunities for students to practice hands-on skills in subtitling and video game translation by using subtitling and translation software. Guided independent study allows students to reflect on their own translation work and work with their peers in groups.
This module adopts a blended mode of teaching, including both present-in-person and online synchronous hours. As subtitle and video game translation is mainly done though online specialised software today, the online synchronous hours are devoted to develop essential skills for students to work online professionally.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 50 | Translating and subtitling a video clip of 6-7 min or translating components of video games. |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 50 | A commentary of 1750 words on subtitling /video game translation assignment. |
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 exercise | 2 | M | Translation homework. Feedback will be given by teachers. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The summative assessment has two components: an assignment and a commentary, each carries 50% of the final mark.
The subtitling/video game translation assignment assesses students’ ability to complete subtitling/video game translation professionally. The commentary component assesses students’ knowledge and understanding of concepts, professional protocols, and constraints in subtitle translation or video game localisation and also their awareness and understanding of relevant theory in subtitle and video game translation.
The resit method is the same as the summative assessment, including the length of commentary (1,750 words) and practical translation work (6-7 minutes of video clip for subtitling projects or 1,200-1,600 words of video game translation).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CHN8035's Timetable