EUT406: Specialised Translation: Scientific and Technical
| School | null |
| Department Code | null |
| Module Code | EUT406 |
| External Subject Code | Q920 |
| Number of Credits | 15 |
| Level | L7 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Dr Carlos Sanz Mingo |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
- offer the student a general panorama of scientific and technical languages and the main tools for translation
- to expose the student to the history of scientific and technical translation
- to explore and develop effective strategies for managing complex linguistic and technical transmissions
- to attain high levels of proficiency in translation practice and critical reflection
- to inform students about CPD in the scientific and technical translation field
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- understand the basic principles of scientific and technical languages and apply his/her knowledge to translating texts
- demonstrate a high level of critical awareness of the issues raised by the translation of a range of texts
- show understanding of a range of translation texts in relation to their professional and technical context
- evaluate and apply translation theories introduced in EUT401 Theory of Translation
- reflect critically on his/her own translation practice
- demonstrate appropriate use of a wide range of translation resources
- demonstrate proficiency in translation skills by producing fluent translations in his/her target language that reflect the subtleties of nuance and meaning of the source text while maintaining content, style and accuracy
- present ideas in a structured, logical and coherent manner
How the module will be delivered
Teaching: teaching is by 5 lectures/seminars in the second semester (Spring).
Skills that will be practised and developed
Skills that will be practised and developed
· Lectures will develop the student’s capacity to absorb information, including through note-taking.
· Seminars will develop the capacity to deploy this information and apply it to teaching and explaining.
· Seminars and coursework will enable students to develop their vocabulary, improve their written communication in the sublanguage studied
· Through coursework and examination students will demonstrate their knowledge the skills acquired and developed.
Other academic and key skills developed include research and organisational skills, communication and basic word-processing skills, intercultural awareness as well as interpersonal skills to be applied in the professional world of translation.
How the module will be assessed
Assessment will comprise:
1. A formative (i.e.., non assessed) translation of a 600 word excerpt from a scientific magazine. Commentary: 900 words.
2. A summative translation of a 700 word excerpt from a patent. Commentary: 1100 words. This translation and commentary is 40% of the final mark of the module.
3. A summative translation of a 900 word excerpt from a technical or scientific journal. Commentary: 1300 words. This translation and commentary is 60% of the final mark of the module.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assessment | 0 | Specialised Translation: Scientific And Technical (Assessment 1) Formative | N/A |
| Written Assessment | 40 | Specialised Translation: Scientific And Technical (Assessment 2) | N/A |
| Written Assessment | 60 | Specialised Translation: Scientific And Technical (Assessment 3) | N/A |
Syllabus content
Week 1 (Jan 31) Characteristics of Scientific and Technical Languages. Examples. (Carlos Sanz Mingo)
Week 2 (Feb 07) The Style of Technical and Scientific Writing. Vocabulary. Discourse Analysis. (Vanna Motta)
Week 3 (Feb 21) Major genres in Scientific and Technical Reporting and Writing. Register Characteristics. (Carlos Sanz Mingo)
Week 4 (Mar 14) Relevant Sources of Information and Documentation. (Carlos Sanz Mingo)
Week 5 (Mar 21) Problems in scientific and technical translation and how to deal with them. Continuing Professional Development. (Carlos Sanz Mingo)
.
Essential Reading and Resource List
Alley, Michael. 1996. The Craft of Science Writing. New York, Springer.
Ammon, Ulirich (ed.). 2001. The Dominance of English as a Language of Science. Effects on Other Languages and Language Communities. Berlin/ New York:Walter de Gruyter.
Bales, Martin and Tony Dudley-Evans. 1976. English for Science and Techology. London: Longman.
Bynum, William. 2012. A Little History of Science. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Byrne, Jody. 2012. Scientific and Technical Translation Explained: A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Beginners. Manchester: St. Jerome.
Dawkins, Richard. 2008. The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing. Oxford: O.U.P.
Montgomery, Scott L. 2000. Science in Translation. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Munday, Jeremy. 2012. Evaluation in Translation. London: Routledge.
Robinson, Douglas. 2012. Becoming a Translator. London: Routledge.
Sager, Juan C. 1990. A Practical Course in Terminology Processing. Amsterdam/ Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Spangeburg, Ray & Diane Kit Moser. 2004. Modern Science. New York: Facts on File.
Trimble, Louise. 1990. English for Science and Technology. Cambridge: C.U.P.
1998. English for Science and Technology: a Discourse Approach. Cambridge: C.U.P.
NB Individual tutors will provide language-specific reading lists.