CHN7005 : Foundation of English to Chinese Translation
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jessica Lin
- 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 English to Chinese translation practice.
• An understanding of how key translation studies theories can be applied as approaches in practical translation.
• To raise awareness of translation strategies with insight into translation problems and their possible solutions.
• Experience in translating a range of various subject areas and text types including current news, culture, science and technology, advertisement, and literature, while considering both theoretical and industry perspectives.
• To develop an understanding of modern tools of translation to improve translation quality and efficiency.
• An understanding of how to apply various translation skills and strategies to resolve translation problems in accordance with translation briefs and target audiences.
• To develop skills in resolving different types of equivalence problems: semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic.
• The ability to produce translations from English into Chinese, which after a moderate to light degree of proofreading and editing. could be used at a professional level,
Outline Of Syllabus
Lectures provide fundamental translation theories. Workshops provide students with peer-learning opportunities by comparing, criticising, and discussing their own translation with classmates. The practical exercises of the first semester focus on general texts aiming at developing students' awareness of issues surrounding translating, identifying problems, and formulating strategies. The second semester focuses on texts of several subject areas for students to tackle problems specific to each area.
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 | 1 | 22:00 | 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 module talks give an overview of the module, bring together the key elements of the module learning as well as act as a revision session for students to understand the structure of assessments. The lectures provide guidance/input in translating skills and theories. The workshops/seminars provide students with opportunities to identify and resolve their specific learning issues, allowing them to bring together ideas and exploit the benefit of peer learning. The independent study enables students to prepare, practise, and perform translating tasks. Guidance and in-depth feedback are provided for students to further improve their translation skills and awareness of issues surrounding the area of translation.
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 | M | 50 | 24h Take-home translation: ST of 750 words (+/-15%).Completed by students using their computers, trans networks, analysis & researc |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 50 | CA1: extended assignment comprising translation (source text of 700-1000 words) 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 exam 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/
- CHN7005's Timetable