ML8100: Introduction to Translation Methods

School Translation
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML8100
External Subject Code 101130
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Joseph Lambert
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2022/3

Outline Description of Module

Translation functions as a means of facilitating communication, learning languages and opening up dialogues between and across cultures. This first year module on translation methods introduces you to the principles that guide approaches to translations, from word-level to textual approaches to notions of the ethics governing translation practice. You will be introduced to concepts in lectures and then apply them to practical exercises in both lectures and seminars. In seminars you will be translating from your source languages – Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese or Spanish – into English. The toolkit developed in this module will support study of translation and language learning, and the general methods and approaches learned will equip you to begin to study specialised forms of translation in year 2 in the module ‘Introduction to Specialised Translation’.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  1. Recognise the basic methods and tools of general translation (LO1)
  2. Show a capacity to evaluate critically translation methods (LO2)
  3. Apply the methods and tools studied to practical exercises in translation (LO3)

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

There will be weekly lectures over both semesters, and four seminars per semester. Lectures will address the key approaches and methods, and during seminars students will apply these to translation from their source language into English. Attendance is compulsory in all sessions.

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • Lectures will develop your capacity to absorb information, including through note-taking.
  • Seminars will develop the capacity to deploy this information and to improve translation work, supporting general language acquisition.
  • Through independent learning and coursework preparation you will practise and develop research skills and the capacity to deploy information in well-constructed arguments.
  • Assessed translations will enable you to practise and develop written presentation and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) skills.

How the module will be assessed

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

Mapping of Assessments to Intended Learning Outcomes:

All coursework assignments assess ILOs 1-3:

The commentaries assess ILO 1, 2

The translations assess ILO 1, 3

Reassessment

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 20 Translation With Commentary 1 N/A
Written Assessment 40 Translation With Commentary 2 N/A
Written Assessment 40 Translation With Commentary 3 N/A

Syllabus content

Semester 1:

Lectures

Translation Ethics

Translating words 1 (meaning)

Translating words 2 (non-equivalence) 

Words with words 1 (collocation)

Words with words 2 (idioms)

Translating grammar 1 (gender and person)

Translating grammar 2 (tense, mood and word order)

Translating texts 1 (information flow)

Translating texts 2 (sentence)

Revision of key concepts

Seminars

Seminar 1 (Translating words)

Seminar 2 (Collocation and idiom)

Seminar 3 (Translating grammar)

Seminar 4 (Textual equivalence)

Semester 2:

Lectures

Translating texts 3 (text types)

Translating texts 4 (audience)

Translating context 1 (culture)

Translating context 2 (function)

Translating voice 1 (ideology)

Translating voice 2 (style)

Translating voice 3 (humour)

Becoming a translator 1 (technology)

Becoming a translator 2 (skills)

Becoming a translator 3 (freelancing)

Revision of key concepts

Seminars

Seminar 1 (Text types)

Seminar 2 (Translating culture)

Seminar 3 (Translating style)

Seminar 4 (Translating ideology)


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