Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module SPAN3131: SPANISH TRANSLATION

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Spanish)

SPAN3131: SPANISH TRANSLATION

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap 60 Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Spanish Language 2A (SPAN2011) OR Spanish Language 2B (SPAN2111), OR an equivlent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Spanish Language 4 (SPAN3011) or Spanish Language 4 following Year Abroad (SPAN3121). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

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

  • To develop skills of translation from and into Spanish and a theoretical understanding of the processes of translation.

Content

  • Approaches to translation.
  • Regular practice in the translation of a variety of types of text and discussion of the strategies employed.
  • Analysis of a published translation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An advanced knowledge of grammatical and expressive differences between Spanish and English.
  • Understanding of theoretical and practical issues arising from translation processes.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Enhanced ability to write precisely and effectively in Spanish and English.
  • Ability to analyse concisely and critically the process involved in producing a translation.
Key Skills:
  • Communication skills.
  • Mediation between languages and cultures.
  • IT skills (use of online learning environment, word processing, use of online reference sources.

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

  • A weekly review class compromises practical exercises involving discussion and group work. Some of these sessions focus on reviewing and building on regular formative translations written individually and in teams.
  • A fortnightly lecture covers a series of topics related to theories of translation and issues arising from the translation of difference text types.
  • The summative coursework tests students' ability to undertake a substantial translation project with access to a full range of reference sources and to reflect critically upon the process and the problems encountered.
  • The end-of-year examination tests students' ability to carry out short translations from and into Spanish under pressure (limited time and limited access to reference materials.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Reviews 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Lectures 10 Fortnightly 1 hour 10
Preparation and Reading 169
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
coursework - translation of a 1000-word text with a 700-word commentary 1,700 words 100% No
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Regular translations.


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