Aims

•For students to gain an intermediate knowledge of the key theoretical and practical issues involved in translation, to familiarise themselves with the history of translation and the main theories of translation and to learn to contextualise translation.
•In and out of their mother tongue (in one of 2 language pairs, e.g. English<>French, English<>German and English<>Spanish), for students to:
•Gain an intermediate level in text-analysis, translating and translating-teamwork skills in 2-3 different genres (e.g. journalism, business, literature etc.);
•Be aware of how the Stage’s key genres communicate messages in linguistic and interpersonal terms, and the implications this has for their translation;
•Start developing a critical understanding of their own and others’ translation practices, as a basis for work at stage 4.

Outline Of Syllabus

During the lectures, students will familiarise themselves with major translation theories and practice through the prism of the topics listed hereunder (this list is indicative only, the definite list of lectures can be found in the module booklet):
-       Pre-1960s translation theories;
-       Equivalence, techniques and shifts;
-       Functional theories of translation;
-       Translation as rewriting;
-       The cultural and political agenda of translation;
-       Translation and the new media;
-       Linguistic and communicative features of the Stage’s genres.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Structured guided learning (“lecture materials”) will give students grounding in the key theoretical and practical issues involved in translation as outlined in the syllabus.

Small-group teaching will give students the opportunity to apply practically the theory covered in the lectures by giving lecturer input on translation skills development. This will allow students to develop written, communication and problem-solving skills. Small-group teaching will also give training in translation commentary writing and link principles input to students’ own translations.

Skills practice allows students to prepare and practise translation tasks, and to develop translation studies knowledge.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Under pressure of tight deadlines, the off campus exam assesses students’ command of translation skills presented and practised in the module. These skills include PC-based writing and web reference skills – presented and practised in the module. The required commentary allows students to demonstrate that they can identify potential translation issues and problems in a source text and that they have started developing a toolkit of practical translating strategies. Similarly, the Portfolio tests the students’ practical translation skills and reflective commentary tests the translation-studies knowledge outcomes of the module and their reflective integration with translation practice. Homework texts are crucial for skills development.