ML8104: Introduction to Translation Methods (German)

School Translation
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML8104
External Subject Code 101130
Number of Credits 20
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Dorota Goluch
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2015/6

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 students to the principles that guide approaches to translations, from word-level to textual approaches to notions of the ethics governing translation practice. Students will be introduced to concepts in lectures and then apply them to practical exercises in both lectures and seminars. In seminars students will be working with texts in German. The toolkit developed in this module will support study of translation and language learning, and the general methods and approaches learned will equip students 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

  • demonstrate an understanding of the basic methods and tools of general translation
  • show a capacity to evaluate critically translation methods
  • apply the methods and tools studied to practical exercises in translation

How the module will be delivered

There will be weekly lectures of one hour 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 in German. Attendance is compulsory in all sessions.

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 to improve translation work, supporting general language acquisition.
  • Through independent learning and exam preparation students will practise and develop research skills and the capacity to deploy information in well-constructed arguments.
  • Assessed translations will enable students to practise and develop written presentation and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) skills.

How the module will be assessed

Assessment 1 - 10%

Assessment 2 - 20%

Assessment 3 - 20%

Exam - 2 hours - 50% - Spring semester

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 10 Written Assignment 1 (Autumn Semester) N/A
Written Assessment 20 Written Assignment 2 (Spring Semester) N/A
Written Assessment 20 Written Assignment 3 (Spring Semester) N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 50 Introduction To Translation Methods (German) 2

Syllabus content

Autumn semester

Lectures

Week 1

Introductory lecture

Week 2

Translating words 1 (meaning)

Week 3

Translating words 2 (non-equivalence)

Week 4

Words with words 1 (collocation)

Seminar 1 (Translating words)

Week 5

Words with words 2 (idioms)

Week 6

READING WEEK

Week 7

Translating grammar 1 (gender and person)

Seminar 2 (Collocation and idiom)

Week 8

Translating grammar 2 (tense, mood and word order)

Week 9

Translating texts 1 (information flow)

Seminar 3 (Translating grammar)

Week 10

Translating texts 2 (sentence)

Week 11

Revision of key concepts

Seminar 4 (Textual equivalence)

 

Spring semester

Lectures

Week 1

Translating texts 3 (text types)

Week 2

Translating texts 4 (audience)

Week 3

Translating context 1 (culture)

Seminar 1 (Text types)

Week 4

Translating context 2 (function)

Week 5

Translating voice 1 (style)

Seminar 2 (Translating culture)

Week 6

READING WEEK

Week 7

Translating voice 2 (ideology)

Week 8

Becoming a translator 1 (ethics)

Seminar 3 (Translating style)

Week 9

Becoming a translator 2 (skills)

Week 10

Becoming a translator 3 (technology)

Seminar 4 (Translating ideology)

Week 11

Revision of key concepts

 

Essential Reading and Resource List

Baker, M. 1992, In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation, London: Routledge.

Robinson, D. 1997, 2003. Becoming a Translator, London: Routledge.

Background Reading and Resource List

Hatim, B. and Munday. 2004, Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (Section A), London: Routledge.

German-English translation:

Hervey, S. et al. 2006. Thinking German translation. A course in translation method: German to English, 2nd edn London: Routledge.

Macheiner, J. 2004.  Übersetzen: Ein Vademecum, München: Pipe.


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