module specification

TR4053 - The Translator and Culture (2020/21)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2020/21
Module title The Translator and Culture
Module level Certificate (04)
Credit rating for module 15
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Total study hours 150
 
114 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Oral Examination 50%   Oral presentation (10 minutes)
Coursework 50%   Written report (1000 words) focusing on the oral presentation research process.
Running in 2020/21

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Spring semester North Thursday Morning

Module summary

This practical module explores the relationship of the translator to culture. The module focuses on cultural concepts and culture bound language: specific aspects of culture are addressed, analysed and discussed as to what problems they might pose during the translation process into different languages. In typical areas of culture-bound language related to names, geographical references, political and educational institutions, legal systems etc., students are introduced to practical translation procedures which are used to translate such language, and the terminology relating to it. In their specific language pair sessions, students are introduced to aspects of practical translation by concentrating on those areas which are characterised by non-equivalence in relation to culture-bound items. Students are made familiar with culture-bound ‘translation problems’ as well as how to select and apply the most appropriate procedures in order to solve these problems.

Prior learning requirements

N/A

Syllabus

This module looks at the features of culture-bound language found in a source text and as applied to the translation of texts. The module introduces students to a varied number of culture-bound terms in the English language/culture and to the concept of non equivalence across other languages. Practical translation sessions which are language specific will be part of the teaching and learning strategy. Basic research / searching strategies for documentation will also be elaborated upon. 

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO3

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching and learning methods include a two hour long interactive lecture + one hour long seminar (3 contact hours) each week. The interactive lecture is both tutor-led and student-centred, with pair and group activities, with very strong encouragement for student participation.
There will also be language specific translation seminars, which will be practice-based.
For practical translation tasks and assessments, students will be introduced to a variety of research tools, using textbooks, electronic databases and e-learning materials (WebLearn) as well as internet material. In addition to classroom based teaching, students are expected to undertake a significant amount of self directed study for the module. A strong emphasis will be on researching appropriate solutions to translation problems, using students’ own electronic devices (tablets, smartphones and laptops) during class time.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Recognise the need to accommodate cultural bound language and demonstrate an understanding of procedures for transferring cultural meanings.
2. Identify cultural translation problems in their language pair and solve these problems competently by applying appropriate translation procedures.
3. Use the appropriate meta-language related to culture bound concepts and their translation.

Assessment strategy

There will be a total of two summative assessments: a ten minute oral presentation focusing on a specific culture bound term (weeks 10 and 11) and a 1000 word written report on the research undertaken for the oral presentation (week 14).

Bibliography

Essential

Baker, M. (2011) In other words, a coursebook on translation. London: Routledge.

Newmark, P. (2003) A textbook of translation. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.

General

Corbett, J. (2000) 'Teaching Culture through language variety' in N. McBride and K. Seago (eds) Target Culture - Target language CILT pp.156-174

Duff, A. (1981)The third language: recurrent problems of translation into English. Oxford: Pergamon.

Fawcett, P. (1997)Translation and language. Manchester: St Jerome.

Hatim, B, and Mason, I. (1997) The translator as communicator . London: Routledge.

Hatim, B. (1997) Communication across cultures: translation theory and contrastive text linguistics . Exeter: University of Exeter Press.

Katan, D. (2003) Translating cultures: an introduction for translators, interpreters and mediators . Manchester: St Jerome.

 


Arabic

Dickins, J, Hervey, S. & Higgins. I. (2002) Thinking Aabic translation: course in translation method, Arabic to English. London: Routledge.

Hatim, B. (1997), English-Arabic/Arabic-English translation a practical guide. London: Saqi.

French
Astington, E. (1990) Equivalences: translation difficulties and devices: French-English, English –French. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Chuquet, H. (1987) Approche: linguistique des problèmes de traduction Anglais-Français / Français-Anglais. Paris: Ophrys.

Guillemin-Flescher, J. (1993) Syntaxe comparée du Français et de l’Anglais: problèmes de traduction. Paris: Ophrys.

Hervey, S. & Higgins, I (2002) Thinking translation, a course in translation method: French to English. London: Routledge.


Vinay, J. P., Darbelnet, J. (1995)Stylistique comparée du Français et de l’Anglais: méthode de traduction. Paris: Didier.

German

Wolf, F. (2003) Technik des Übersetzens. Englisch und Deutsch. Munchen: Hueber.

Hervey, S., Loughridge, M. and Higgins, I (2006 Thinking German translation. A course in translation method: German to English. London: Routledge.

Humphrey, R. (2007) Grundkurs Übersetzen Deutsch-Englisch. Stuttgart: Klett.


Italian

Hervey, S. (2000) Thinking Italian translation: a course in translation method: Italian to English. London: Routledge.

Polish

Korzeniowska, A., and Kuhiwczak, P. (2006) Successful Polish-English translation: tricks of the trade. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.

Piotrowska M. (1997) Learning translation - Learning the impossible? A course of translation from English into Polish. Kraków: Universitas.

 

Portuguese

Coulthard, M. and P. A. Odber de Baubeta (eds) (1996). Theoretical issues and practical cases in Portuguese-English translations. Lewiston: Edwin Mellen Press.


Spanish
Hervey, S. (1995) Thinking Spanish translation: a course in translation method, Spanish to English. London: Routledge.

Laviosa, S. (2006) Linking wor(l)ds. Lexis and grammar for translation. Naples: Liguori.


Russian
Andrews, E. and Maksimova, E. (2010) Russian translation: theory and practice. London: Routledge. 

Pym, A. (2016) Translation solutions for many languages: histories of a flawed dream.
Batalden, K. (2013) Stephen Russian Bible wars: modern scriptural translation and cultural authority . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.