Module Convenor (2024/25)

Dr Anna LanfranchiLink opens in a new window

Aims and Objectives

15 CATS

This cross-School postgraduate module provides students with an introduction to the principles of translation, with a particular focus on the challenges that translators encounter in their practice; in their assignment, students will produce practical translations and analyse critically their own translation strategies.

It is run through a mix of
(1) general lectures and seminars
(2) language-specific seminars

In the general lectures, students will explore the theoretical challenges that specific genres (both literary – poem, short story, children’s literature - and media genres – audio-visual, advertising, newspapers, and/or social media) will pose to the practice of translation.
Crucially, in the language-specific seminars and through independent study, students will have an opportunity to engage in the practice of translation; the seminars will be an opportunity for students discuss with their language tutors their practical translations and strategies in preparation for the final assignment.

This course will allow students to:
• Become aware of the challenges associated with translation
• Critically reflect on the practice of translation
• Produce translations from/to their language of specialism that are appropriate for their specified purpose
• Develop their critical awareness, analytical and written skills
• Engage critically with theoretical literature and use this to support arguments
• Develop further key transferable skills including effective and efficient communication, self-motivation, self- reliance, co-operation, and time and information management.

Teaching Schedule

Module Convenor: Dr Anna LanfranchiLink opens in a new window

Language tutors: Ian NixonLink opens in a new window (French); Dr Lee PurvisLink opens in a new window (Spanish); Dr Sijing LuLink opens in a new window (Chinese); Dr Dan HallLink opens in a new window (German); Dr Anna LanfranchiLink opens in a new window (Italian)

Lectures: Monday, 9-11am, in OC1.02 (weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 10).

Language-specific seminars: Monday/Tuesday (rooms on Moodle).

Module Outline

• Week 1. 2-hour lecture on genre analysis and news translation
• Week 2. No session
• Week 3. 2-hour lecture on children’s literature & poetry
• Week 4. 1-hour language-specific seminar
• Week 5. 1-hour lecture on audiovisual (subtitling) and 1-hour lecture on writing a commentary
• Week 6. No session (reading week for research and independent study)
• Week 7. 2-hour lecture on advertising
• Week 8. 1-hour language-specific seminar
• Week 9. 1-hour language-specific seminar
• Week 10. 1-hour consolidation session on assessment and translation analysis (plenary session with module convenor)

Assessment

100% Course Work: Translation Portfolio

This assignment will include the translation and commentary of two genres, to be discussed and agreed with portfolio supervisors. It is strongly recommended that students will translate in their first language.

Words: 3000. Please note:
- Source texts: min 300 max 500 words for European languages (480-800 Chinese characters) for each text. For shorter pieces, please consult portfolio supervisor
- Commentaries in English: min 1,000 max 1,200 words per genre