CHN7004 : Fundamentals of Translation (Chinese to English)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Dariush Robertson
- Lecturer: Ms Michelle Deeter
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to give students:
• An understanding of practical considerations, both cultural and linguistic, in Chinese to English
translation practice.
• Experience in translating a range of articles related to tourism, culture, societal trends, business,
current news, and literature, while considering both theoretical and industry perspectives.
• To develop an understanding of how to utilise the modern tools of translation to improve quality and
efficiency, including internet resources, informant networks, and MT post-editing.
• An understanding of how key translation studies theories can be applied as approaches in translation,
including Dynamic Equivalence, Foreignization and Domestication, Skopos Theory, and Norms in
Translation.
• An understanding of how to apply various translation skills and strategies to resolve translation
problems in accordance with translation briefs and target audiences.
• The ability to produce translations from Chinese into English, which could be used at a professional
level, after a moderate to light degree of proofreading and editing.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module is divided into smaller blocks of different subject areas. These blocks focus on translating various types of articles in relation to key translation theory approaches, industry trends, and the corresponding translation skills and strategies. The blocks include areas such as key research and analysis skills, machine translation post-editing skills, as well as approaches linked to dynamic equivalence, foreignization and domestication, skopos theory, and the theory of norms in translation. These topics will be explored via the practice of translating a range of articles on tourism, culture, modern societal trends, business, current news, and literature.
Each block typically comprises of two weeks. In week one, the lecturer provides formative feedback on homework (given the previous week). As well as this formative feedback, the lecturer provides both professional and theoretical context, and focuses on key problems via peer discussion and class discussion.
In week two, the lecturer provides students with a guided translation practice session, so that students can put the knowledge they have gained in the previous week to practice and develop a range of intended skills. In the second week, the lecture performs the role of both head translator and at the end of the sessions, summarises and contextualises the findings to consolidate the learning of the intended knowledge and skills.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present-in-person. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Present-in-person. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Present-in-person. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 90:00 | 90:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present-in-person. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
• The lectures contain a combination of feedback on homework, as well as the introduction of new knowledge
relating to the application of translation theory, skills, techniques, and industry perspective.
• The seminars focus on the application of translation theory, skills, techniques, and industry
perspective in live translation practice, where the lecturer performs the role of both head translator,
and lecturer. The idea is that students can put to practice all they have learned from the previous
lecture, in live targeted translation exercises, with the guidance of the lecturer, and via group
discussions and learning.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 1440 | 2 | A | 50 | 24h Take-home translation: ST of 600 – 800 Chinese characters resulting in an English TT of 400–700 words. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 50 | CA1: extended assignment comprising translation (source text of 700-1000 characters) and commentary (1000-1200 words). |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Independent translation practice set as homework. |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Independent translation practice set as homework. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The CA1 assignment performs a summative function, reflecting both the application of translation skills (in the translation component) and the application of translation theory (in the essay component). The translation professional skills assessment also performs a summative function and will test the application of practical translation skills and knowledge within a time frame of 24-hours. This time frame is selected to simulate realistic translation industry conditions and time constraints.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CHN7004's Timetable