Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module MEIS3041: SPECIALISED TRANSLATION

Department: GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES)

MEIS3041: SPECIALISED TRANSLATION

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to T621
Tied to T622
Tied to T6L1
Tied to T6L2
Tied to T6T9

Prerequisites

  • Intermediate Written Arabic (MEIS2012).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with a basic framework for understanding and evaluating aspects of Arabic-English translation, and to develop their own translation competence.

Content

  • The taught element combines practical work in translation with a consideration of relevant aspects of translation theory, and of the differences between typical rhetorical features of English and Arabic.
  • The focus is on argumentative texts (political polemic, newspaper editorials), and literary texts.
  • These are chosen because they contain a large number of rhetorical and other features of a type which present a challenge to the translator.
  • Translation materials are also taken from other kinds of texts, including anecdotes, popular science and academic articles.
  • The main text is "Thinking Arabic Translation" by Sandor Hervey, James Dickins and Ian Higgins.
  • Extensive reference is also made to 'In Other Words' by Mona Baker.
  • This supplements the material in "Thinking Translation", and is particularly appropriate because of its wide use of Arabic examples.
  • Other works which are drawn on include "Translation Strategies for an Arabic Political Argumentative Text", by TC Calderbank, "The Arabic Language Today" by AFL Beeston, "A Textbook of Translation" by Peter Newmark and "Discourse and the Translator" by B Hatim and I Mason.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
      Key Skills:

        Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

        • .

        Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

        Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
        Lectures 39 Three per week (Term 1 and first 4 weeks of Term 2) 1 hour 39
        Other (Individual Supervision) 4 Fortnightly (Term 2 only) 30 minutes 2
        Preparation and Reading 159
        Total 200

        Summative Assessment

        Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
        Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
        translation project 2000 words of Arabic text 100%

        Formative Assessment:

        4 Arabic-English hand-in translation assignments over Michaelmas term and first 4 weeks of Epiphany terms.

        ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University