Module MELA3111: TRANSLATION THEORY

Department: Modern Language and Cultures

MELA3111: TRANSLATION THEORY

Prerequisites

• B or above at A level in a foreign European language (or equivalent).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Students may take up to a total of three Translation/Interpreting modules in MLAC, but no more than two translation modules, selected from Translation Theory (MELA3111), Spanish Translation (SPAN3131), Italian Translation (ITAL3121), French Translation (FREN3051), German Interpreting (GERM3041), French Interpreting (FREN3331) and Russian Translating and Interpreting (RUSS3381). Students may NOT take both French Interpreting (FREN3331) and German Interpreting (GERM3041).

Aims

• The module aims to examine key aspects of modern theories in translation with a predominantly chronological approach with a view to improving students' understanding of the processes involved in translation and of the main assessment criteria of 'good' translation practice.

Content

• Topic 1: Translation considerations: text type, audience, language, context.
• Topic 2: Translation studies/translation theories.
• Topic 3: The science of translation.
• Topic 4: Translation and linguistics.
• Topic 5: Translation and linguistic relativism.
• Topic 6: The translation process.
• Topic 7: Other issues.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module the student should be able to demonstrate:
• sound knowledge and critical understanding of the underlying ideas of contemporary translation theory and of the various factors at play in the science of translation such as, but by no means limited to, : equivalence, translation shift, discourse and register, and cross-cultural parameters,
• an awareness of how they themselves approach the task of translating,
• understanding of what it means to read a text which has been translated.

• the ability to deal with current approaches to translation theory;
• the ability to situate the development of concepts such as “translatability”, “fidelity”, “equivalence” within a chronological and critical framework;
• the ability to adopt appropriate terminology from cultural, linguistic, and pragmatic approaches to Translation Studies;
• the ability to deal with the connections between languages and cultures;
• the ability to use relevant past and current literature on Translation Studies effectively.

• to evaluate in writing the literature studied;
• to use effectively libraries and IT resources;
• the ability to discuss theoretical notions orally;
• the ability to work collaboratively and engage in debates orally;
• to structure critical essays expressing results of their study in a clear and effective style of writing.

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

• The course is taught through lectures which introduce the theoretical issues associated with translation theory and provide a focus for the reading.
• Set reading assignments provide the necessary background to the concepts treated in the lectures.
• The lectures are complemented by seminars during which the newly acquired knowledge is amplified through targeted exercises.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None.

■ 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