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Module

TRI2002 : Translation Theory and Practice 2

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jennifer Arnold
  • Lecturer: Dr JC Penet, Dr Helen Ferstenberg
  • 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

•For students to gain an intermediate knowledge of the key theoretical and practical issues involved in translation, to familiarise themselves with the history of translation and the main theories of translation and to learn to contextualise translation.
•In and out of their mother tongue (in one of 2 language pairs, e.g. EnglishFrench, EnglishGerman and EnglishSpanish), for students to:
•Gain an intermediate level in text-analysis, translating and translating-teamwork skills in 2-3 different genres (e.g. journalism, business, literature etc.);
•Be aware of how the Stage’s key genres communicate messages in linguistic and interpersonal terms, and the implications this has for their translation;
•Start developing a critical understanding of their own and others’ translation practices, as a basis for work at stage 4.

Outline Of Syllabus

During the lectures, students will familiarise themselves with major translation theories 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):
-       Pre-1960s translation theories;
-       Equivalence, techniques and shifts;
-       Functional theories of translation;
-       Translation as rewriting;
-       The cultural and political agenda of translation;
-       Translation and the new media;
-       Linguistic and communicative features of the Stage’s genres.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture111:0011:00PiP
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion139:0039:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching221:0022:00PiP. Students will normally follow the language-specific strand (22 sessions of 1 hr per language)
Guided Independent StudySkills practice1128:00128:00N/A
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
TRI2202Translation Theory and Practice 2 - Part 2
TRI2102Translation Theory and Practice 2 - Part 1
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Structured guided learning (“lecture materials”) 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

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402A50Open-book 24 hour take-home translation & reflective commentary (700 word ST & 800 word commentary)
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
Translation Theory and Practice 2 - Part 22N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio2M50A Portfolio of selected translations (approx. 1,000 words source text) and relfective 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 exercise2MRegular short homework translations across the full year.
Digital Examination1MPC Examination. Open-book take-home translation & reflective commentary.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Under pressure of tight deadlines, the off campus exam assesses 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