Language as a translating tool 15-JJNT-TP-11

The aim of the course is to raise awareness of language as a tool for translators as well as to create understanding of professional standards in written translation.

Course outline: This short 30 hour course will be divided into three blocks:
1) bilingual foundations of translation competence (10 hours)
2) Text/discourse analysis for translation (10 hours)
3) metalinguistic and metacognitive skills in translation expertise (10 hours)

Course material: For each thematic block a representative number of major issues will be discussed from the translator’s point of view. The material for the discussions will include literature from modern Translation Studies, Psycholinguistics and Cognitive psychology. The discussions will be further focused on practice and specific translation problems experienced by translators and translation trainees while producing translations or when analyzing translations performed by others.

Course procedures: the classes will be conducted in the form of debates and discussions in which students are encouraged to share their views and assumptions about translation understood as inter-cultural communication as well as respond to opinions expressed by scholars and researchers investigating the nature of translation. Views and theories will be tested in practical activities performed by the students both during the class and at home according to the principle of learning by experiencing.

Course requirements: The students (translation trainees) are expected to be prepared for each and every class and ready to cooperate and contribute to the discussions. The preparation will involve reading and presenting assigned material, conducting research, producing translations, analyzing and assessing translations, revising translations performed by others, proofreading and editing texts in both Polish and English. During the semester students will be asked to present selected material to others and conduct discussions.

Module learning aims

The purpose of the course is to develop language awareness and sensitivity among future translators. Students acquire knowledge of the essential aspects concerning language use conditioned by their bilingual knowledge of two languages such as bilingual memory, cross-linguistic interference and metalinguistic awareness. Special objectives of the course include raising awareness of the psycholinguistic mechanisms which operate during the process of translation and which require self-control and self-reflection needed for competent use of language as a tool in inter-cultural communication. During classes students learn to conduct adequate text analysis and learn to revise translated texts according to the standards adopted in professional translation practice.

Information on where to find course materials

http://elearning.wa.amu.edu.pl/moodle/course/view.php?id=2021

Major

English philology Specialisation: English-Polish translation

Methods of teaching for learning outcomes achievement

(F) classroom discussion based on assigned materials (F) student presentations and in-class debates (P) translation projects (P) translation project analysis (P) translation project assessment

Student workload (ECTS credits)

Class time with tutor 30 hours student individual work 25 hours Reading recommended literature and preparing individual presentations (7h), performing text analysis and translation assignment (10h), revising and correcting translations (8h) Total 55h ECTS: 3 points

Cycle of studies

2nd cycle

Year of studies (where relevant)

Year 1

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences

Confirmed knowledge of English and elementary translation skills concerning non-specialized translation

Course coordinators

Magdalena Perdek

Learning outcomes

Has acquired extensive knowledge about language as a tool in inter-cultural communication
Has acquired necessary terminology at an advanced level and is able to adequately analyze translation errors
Is able to apply adequate strategies to analyze texts for translation
Skillfully uses translation tools including dictionaries, reference material and parallel texts
Is able to revise and correct translated texts and point out mechanisms which resulted in errors

Assessment criteria

Course requirements: The students (translation trainees) are expected to be prepared for each and every class and ready to cooperate and contribute to the discussions.

The final grade depends on the fulfillment of the above requirements and on the final test score. It will be calculated in the following way:

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION 50 Points
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS 50 Points
FINAL GRADED IN-CLASS TRANSLATION 50 Points
PRESENTATION 50 Points
You can score: 200 points (100%);
5 – excellent knowledge and skills (90-100%)
4.5 – very good knowledge and skills (81-89%)
4.0 – good knowledge and skills (76-80%)
3.5 – satisfactory knowledge and skills but with some gaps (66-75%)
3.0 – satisfactory knowledge and skills but with serious gaps (60-65%)
2.0 – unsatisfactory knowledge and skills (up to 59%)

Practical placement

not applicable

Bibliography

Sample of general bibliography:
Chriss, R. 2006. Translation as a profession. London: Lulu Press.
Hejwowski, Krzysztof. 2004. Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria przekładu. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Korzeniowska, A, Kuhiwczak, P. 1994/2008. Successful Polish-English translation. Warszawa: PWN.
Lipiński, K. 2000. Vademecum Tłumacza. Kraków: Wydawnictwo Idea.
Tabakowska, E. 2003. O przekładzie na przykładzie. Kraków: Znak.
Tabakowska, E. 2009. Tłumacząc się z tłumaczenia. Kraków: Znak.
Whyatt, B. 2007. “Two languages, two cultures, one mind: A study into developmental changes in the students' view of language as a tool in cross-cultural communication”. PSiCL 43(2): 133-145.
Whyatt, B. 2012. Translation as a human skill. From predisposition to expertise. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM. (available in a pdf. form from: https://repozytorium.amu.edu.pl/handle/10593/13407)

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 15-JJNT-TP-11 in USOSweb