TRI2003 : Introduction to Interpreting Theory and Practice
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Noelia Cacheiro Quintas
- 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
The module aims to provide students with basic working skills and an awareness of the key professional issues in face-to-face liaison (dialogue) interpreting for one or two of three BA-language* pairs, normally: EnglishFrench, EnglishGerman or EnglishSpanish.
*A-language is the translator’s language of main use (typically the mother tongue) and B-language the language of secondary use (typically a foreign or second language). Liaison interpreting usually involves interpreting into both A and B languages.
Liaison interpreting is non-simultaneous interpreting which enables conversation, discussion, etc. between speakers of two different languages. This module gives an introduction to basic liaison-interpreting skills, working from the second (B) language into the A (first) language and vice versa in one of the topics chosen at this stage (e.g. business, academic, journalism, tourism). It will focus on developing the student's oral/aural competence in the foreign language (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy and range). Students will acquire note-taking skills as well as strategies that will help them with the interpreting tasks.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Introduction to liaison interpreting
• Key techniques & strategies (i.e. summarising, re-phrasing, task management)
• Note-taking skills
• Key vocabulary (relevant to the topics chosen at this stage (e.g.. business, academic, journalism, tourism))
• Appropriate register
• Reinforcement of grammatical structures used in the dialogues
• Introduction to professional issues relevant to the topics chosen at this stage: preparing for and managing the interpreting event, interpreter professionalism.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 28 | 1:00 | 28:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 12 | 2:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 62 | 1:00 | 62:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 47 | 1:00 | 47:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
1. Practicals (in three different language strands) enable students to develop knowledge and skills (module-specific and key skills) in simulated professional environments. The mixture of online and F2F practicals will also equip students with the blended skills necessary for the varying real-life professional interpreting requirements of a post covid world (i.e. one which requires interpreters to develop remote interpreting skills too).
2. Lectures will look at principles of interpreting and explore strategies which facilitate the interpreting process.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 10 | 2 | M | 60 | The oral exam will take place at the end of semester 2. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 40 | Self-assessment exercise 1,000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | Formative liaison interpreting test (in-class test); duration: 10 |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Self-assessment exercise 1,000 words |
| Aural Examination | 2 | M | Formative liaison interpreting test (in-class test); duration: 10 |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The exams test students’ liaison interpreting skills (interpreting into both A and B languages) in a simulated environment with realistic stress factors. Appropriate professional conduct during the interpreting process will also be assessed.
Students will write a reflective piece based on their practical oral exam, using the theoretical knowledge they have acquired during the academic year in their lectures and their application in the seminars.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- TRI2003's Timetable