TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING STUDIES - 2021/2
Module code: TRAM064
Module Overview
The module provides a systematic framework for understanding the major principles and challenges of translation and interpreting, the role of the translator and interpreter, and the nature of comprehension, decision-making and production processes involved in translation and interpreting. It enables students to apply this framework to practical translation and interpreting tasks.
Module provider
School of Literature and Languages
Module Leader
DAVITTI Elena (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: 120
Lecture Hours: 22
Tutorial Hours: 8
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
N/A
Module content
Starting from a preliminary analysis of typical situations of interpreting practice and typical text types in translation, the module will deal with the following topics:
- Translation and Interpreting as related types of linguistic and cultural mediation;
- Communication genres and text types in translation and interpreting;
- Common approaches to translation: ‘literal’ vs. free’ and the ‘equivalence’ debate;
- Modes of interpreting – consecutive, simultaneous/whispered and liaison; settings of interpreting – conference interpreting; public service interpreting, business interpreting etc.;
- Written and spoken language;
- The pragmatic dimension of translation and interpreting: communicative intentions and their mediation;
- The process dimension of translation and interpreting: discourse comprehension and production under translation/interpreting conditions; types of knowledge involved;
- The strategic dimension: translation strategies and interpreting strategies in relation to different requirements of these mediation tasks;
- Translation/interpreting quality
- The impact of globalisation and social change: current trends and future prospects of translation and interpreting (e.g. through English as a global language);
- The impact of new technologies on translation and interpreting (machine translation, 'remote interpreting');
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | GUIDED COMMENTARY OF 1000 WORDS | 30 |
| Oral exam or presentation | 15 MINUTE ORAL EXAMINATION | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they understand the main issues involved in translation and interpreting.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
· A guided commentary of 1000 where students will analyse a text for translation (30%)
· A 15-minute oral examination words discussing selected aspects of translation and interpreting (70%)
Formative assessment and feedback
Group and class discussions will provide an opportunity for continuous informal feedback during the semester. The students will also receive individual written feedback on their assignments.
Module aims
- Drawing on relevant models of monolingual and mediated communication, this module helps students to develop an understanding of the fundamental characteristics of translation and interpreting and the translator's/interpreter's role in the communication process. The module raises awareness for typical problems of translation/interpreting, and for relevant strategies and solutions.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 1 | Describe the fundamental characteristics of translation and interpreting, | KC |
| 2 | Explain communication models underlying translation and interpreting, | KC |
| 3 | Identify different communication genres and text types relevant in translation and interpreting | |
| 4 | Distinguish different types and modes of interpreting, their main features and purposes, specific problems and typical interpreting solutions, | KCP |
| 5 | Use scholarly approaches and communication models to reflect on their own practice, | CPT |
| 6 | Apply scholarly approaches to analyse and critically evaluate standard professional practice in the light of current and future requirements, | CP |
| 7 | Assess the current and future challenges for the translation and interpreting profession, | PT |
| 8 | Appreciate the ethical responsibilities of translators and interpreters in a professional context | P |
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 a good understanding of the major principles of translation and interpreting. This is in line with the in with the overall aims of combining the study of the major principles of, and scholarly approaches to, translation and interpreting with opportunities for application and practice throughout the programme.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Lectures will be interspersed with hands-on activities in class and opportunities for group and whole class discussions (22 hours)
- Contact hours will be complemented with materials and activities for guided study posted on SurreyLearn (8 hours)
- Self-study: reading outside the classroom (120 hours)
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: TRAM064
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 2021/2 academic year.