TR7087 - The Translator and the Specialised Text (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | The Translator and the Specialised Text | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
You will translate specialised texts in different domains of low level of specialisation in a variety of fields, registers and styles, with emphasis on producing professional translations using dedicated professional software. The topics will cover, for example, Advertising, Business, Law, Medicine, IT and Politics.
You will be trained to translate specialised material into your native language by identiftying and analysing manisfestations of culture and discern culural complexitites; as well as cultural norms and describe how these affect your translation choices.
If there are no sufficient student numbers o makea module viable , the school reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the School cancels a module it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative.
Prior learning requirements
None
Syllabus
The module relates to “Theoretical Issues in Translation”, “Characteristics of Specialised Texts” and “Translation Tools and the Translator” in that students will apply the acquired knowledge of strategies, techniques and analytical tools to their translations and the commentary. It also lays the basis for the longer, more demanding independent translation projects that follow it (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4).
Teaching is delivered via a series of generic and language specific seminars which give you an opportunity to translate and receive feedback on a variety of texts of low-level specialism, and acquire the knowledge and skills required to produce a professional translation. You will interpret and transcribe a message suitably, according to its purpose and target audience, taking into account not only language aspects, but also social and cultural factors (LO1, LO2, LO3).
Thus, the module offers the opportunity to practice translation in the various fields of specialisation and requires the implementation of translation skills and tools, as well as appropriate research/searching and documentation strategies.
The material to be translated consists of authentic texts usually provided by LSPs which, in order to be translated, would normally require the use of dedicated translation software (LO1, LO3, LO4).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Learning and teaching strategies will be delivered through a blended learning approach. Thus, the module is structured around class time, autonomous learning and guided Weblearn materials.
Students will attend a series of introductory and generic lectures, as well as language specific seminars. Additional methods will include practical work in language specific seminars, including the use of textbooks, dictionaries, parallel texts, electronic databases and other self-study and e-learning materials. You will receive formative feedback from both the lecturer and language specific tutor to enable you to reflect on your learning.
You will compile a portfolio of translations done during the language specific seminars and from individual work. You will also take a simulated exam which has been designed to help you prepare for your final online exam.
There are no PDP requirements for this module.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the necessary skills to translate LSP (language for special purposes) texts into a target language and according to professional standards using dedicated professional software; and differentiate general language from language for special purposes (LO1).
2. Use appropriate techniques for analysing, translating and editing texts of low specialism from the fields covered in the module and identify relevant issues of translation theory, cultural norms, terminology and research in these fields (LO2).
3. Apply effective techniques for solving translation issues and acquire an awareness of the impact of these translation techniques and decisions on the translated text as a whole. For this, you will have the opportunity to draw upon personal experiences and class learning to develop common ground for interactions with those from other cultures (LO3).
4. Reflect on the translation process and produce translations according to the specified guidelines and professional standards (LO4).
Assessment strategy
The assessment strategy will consist of two components:
The portfolio and the online exam.
Students will compile a portfolio of translations done during the language specific seminars and from individual work.
They online exam consists of a timed translation which is designed to simulate a real translation scenario to prepare students for future employment. It will also include the integration of dedicated the translation software as taught in module TR7042.
The assessment focus lies on ‘direct’ translation into your native language.