MLT411: Translation of Minority Languages

School School of Modern Languages
Department Code MLANG
Module Code MLT411
External Subject Code 101130
Number of Credits 15
Level L7
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader DR Luisa Percopo
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2023/4

Outline Description of Module

This module aims to present the nature and cultural role of minority languages within multilingual countries in and outside Europe from the perspective of translation. It examines the specificity of minority languages, the politics and policies regarding their constitution, protection and translation, their role in the country’s culture and society, the parameters of their cultural and political dimensions, and the legal framework within which they exist.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Apply awareness of the cultural dimensions involved in the translation process (LO1;
  • Critically evaluate and compare the specificity of minority languages (LO2);
  • Evaluate the cultural and political role/challenges of translating minority languages (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.  

 

Eight two-hour lectures/seminars in the Spring Semester.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Intellectual Skills:

- Demonstrate a high level of critical awareness, and an ability to develop and expound an argument in favour or against a given viewpoint, as appropriate to the module.

- Show ability to present arguments in a structured, logical and coherent manner.

 Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

- Demonstrate a high level of intercultural awareness.

- Critically assess positions of theory and criticism, as appropriate to the module.

- Demonstrate capacity for analysing and interpreting complex cultural issues and socio-historical context in the field of study covered by the module, using appropriate terminology.

 Transferable Skills:

- Demonstrate organisational and research skills.

- Demonstrate basic word-processing skills.

- Enhance note-taking skills.

- Engage with other people’s ideas in a critical and respectful way.

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

Essay: assesses Learning Outcomes 1 - 3 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

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 100 Essay N/A

Syllabus content

Week 1: Introduction: Translation and Minority Languages

Week 2: Basque

Week 3: Welsh

Week 4: Occitan/ Provençal

Week 5: Sardinian language and the Mediterranean context

Week 6: Beyond Europe: Minority and majority languages in Australia

Week 7: Beyond Europe: Indigenous languages and other mother tongues in Namibia

Week 8: Majority/Minorities in Context: the Geopolitics of Translation


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