PRINCIPLES AND CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING - 2021/2
Module code: TRAM495
Module Overview
This module provides students with a systematic framework for understanding the key concepts in Translation and Interpreting Studies and how they relate and apply to everyday professional practice. Taking a holistic approach to translator and interpreter education, the module consists of expository lectures and seminars that discuss the main principles and challenges of translation and interpreting, and explore solutions in close alignment with TRAM493 Professional Translation Practice I. The module enables students to confront a wide range of translation and interpreting challenges, from the lack of equivalence between languages and cultures to contemporary technological, ethical and societal issues affecting translation and interpreting practice. The module equips students with both a solid grounding in the guiding principles of translation and interpreting, derived from scholarly engagement with the discipline, and the strategic competences required to engage in best practices in the profession. Students complement lectures and seminars with practical exercises and independent reading.
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: 118
Lecture Hours: 16
Seminar Hours: 16
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
n/a
Module content
Indicative module contents include:
• An introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies and different types and modes of multilingual communication
• Issues of linguistic, cultural and pragmatic equivalence in diverse translation and interpreting contexts
• Cognitive aspects of translation and interpreting processes
• Professional translation and interpreting strategies
• Human and computer interaction in contemporary translation and interpreting contexts
• Translation and interpreting quality
• Societal factors impacting translation and interpreting
• Present and future challenges of translation and interpreting
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Guided commentary (1,000 words) | 30 |
| Coursework | Essay (2,500-3,000 words) or 800-word commentary based on a 15-minute oral presentation | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
n/a
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:
- An understanding of the key concepts of translation and interpreting
- The ability to select relevant problem-solving strategies, and knowledgeably inform and justify translation/interpreting decisions
- The ability to manage time and work under strict deadlines
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework: a mid-semester (Week 7) guided commentary of 1,000 words, addressing learning outcomes 1-3 (30%)
- Coursework: an end-of-semester essay of 2,500-3,000 words or an 800-word commentary based on a 15-minute oral presentation, addressing learning outcomes 1-4 (70%) (Week 12)
Formative assessment
Formative assessment will be centered on student participation and class discussions during seminars.
Feedback
Students will receive written feedback on individual coursework, and peer and group feedback during class discussions.
Module aims
- Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles and challenges of contemporary translation and interpreting
- Appreciate the translator's/interpreter's role in the communication process
- Address translation/interpreting tasks in a variety of linguistic, cultural, societal, technological and situational scenarios
- Be aware of different translation/interpreting problem-solving strategies and solutions
- Knowledgeably discuss translation/interpreting decisions
- Use the appropriate metalanguage of the discipline
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Recognize different types of translation/interpreting scenarios | CKPT |
| 002 | Identify translation/interpreting challenges, and assess the strategies and resources required for appropriate target-language renditions according to diverse communicative goals | CKPT |
| 003 | Critically evaluate translation/interpreting solutions in accordance with the precepts of Translation/Interpreting Studies scholarship, using appropriate metalanguage, and adopting standard academic English textual conventions | CKPT |
| 004 | Appreciate new societal, technological and language-industry demands | CP |
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:
• Facilitate a holistic approach to knowledge and skills acquisition
• Stimulate classroom discussion through teacher-led input
• Encourage self-reflection and develop independent critical thinking
• Raise awareness of academic standards and conventions
• Promote best practices in the translation/interpreting profession
• Inspire independent reading and extra-curricular professional development
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: TRAM495
Other information
n/a
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation MA | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Interpreting (Chinese Pathway) MA | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Interpreting MA | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation and Interpreting MA | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Translation and Interpreting Studies MRes | 1 | Compulsory | 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 2021/2 academic year.