AB INITIO LANGUAGE FOR TRANSLATION PURPOSES I - 2019/0
Module code: TRAM480
Module Overview
This module provides students with the chance to study a new language from scratch, providing the basis for the development of translation skills from an entirely new language. Students can study either Norwegian, or Portuguese or Russian, subject to demand (normally two of these are offered). It is particularly useful for students with only one foreign language who wish to expand their portfolio of translation languages. At the end of the module students will be ready to start translating texts from the new language. The target language for the purpose of this module will be English, but the skills acquired are transferable to other target languages. Non-native speakers of English are welcome to take the module.
Module provider
School of Literature and Languages
Module Leader
FRANKENBERG-GARCIA Ana (Lit & Langs)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 128
Lecture Hours: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
Students must have not have studied or have prior informal knowledge of the Ab Initio language selected
Module content
Indicative content includes:
• Basic vocabulary and grammar exercises, focussing on the comprehension of the written form.
• Short authentic reading passages to introduce students to the discourse and culture of the new language.
• Translation of short sentences to reinforce comprehension and introduce students to translation practice.
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Practical based assessment | A 30-MINUTE TRANSLATION EXERCISE | 30 |
| Examination | A 2-HOUR WRITTEN EXAMINATION (A LANGUAGE PAPER) AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they understand basic vocabulary, grammar and texts in the new language and are able to start translating from it.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
• A 30-minute translation exercise (30%)
• A 2-hour written examination (a language paper) at the end of the semester (70%) Formative assessment and feedback The students will receive feedback on their assessed work and continual feedback on their homework and classwork.
Module aims
- • Give students a working knowledge of a new language for comprehension purposes
- • Enable students to translate simple sentences from the new language into English.
- • Equip students with the basis for the development of more sophisticated translation skills to be followed up in Ab Initio Language for Translation Purposes II.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Recognise general vocabulary and understand relevant grammar | CP |
| 002 | Read and understand basic texts | CP |
| 003 | Translate simple sentences from the source language | PT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Provide students with concentrated input in the new language and stimulate autonomous learning.
The learning and teaching methods include:
• 150 hours overall student workload.
• Lectures and workshops with exercises building on explanations and illustrations, including some group as well as whole-class work.
• Further exercises in vocabulary, grammar and comprehension will be set on a regular basis for homework.
• In order to progress to an appropriate level, students are expected to study privately on an intensive basis.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TRAM480
Other information
TRAM480-001A 30-minute translation exercisePractical based assessment30A 2-hour written examination (a language paper) at the end of the semesterExamination70
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpreting MA | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation MA | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation and Interpreting MA | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.