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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: TRAM184 Module Title: INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING IN LEGAL SETTINGS
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: TRAM184
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: BRAUN S Dr (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 2
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Role play two-way interpreting with whispered interpreting into A and into B language, ca. 30 mins.
50%
A dossier of 4 translations selected from the translation homework (2 texts into A language and 2 texts into B language).
20%
Two-hour open book examination. One text into A language and one into B language of approx. 220-250 words each must be translated.
30%

Qualifying Condition(s): A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module.
Module Overview
This module focuses on the practice of interpreting and translation between English and the chosen language, as required in the context of Public Service Interpreting (PSI).
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
First degree in English, an appropriate language or equivalent. Near-native or native competency in English.
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to raise students' awareness of what is required to interpret and translate in a PSI context and to enable students to interpret and translate competently and confidently in legal settings such as police, courts and immigration situations.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
  • explain the major principles and specific challenges of interpreting and translating in legal contexts,
  • interpret and translate, to a standard approaching professional level, in legal situations including the police, the courts and the immigration services,
  • perform interpreting tasks in one-way and two-way consecutive and whispered simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation, between English and the selected language
  • propose and select working modes and interpreting strategies required for the situation
  • create translations of legal documents that are relevant in public service contexts
  • employ a rigorous code of conduct for interpreting and translating including issues such as confidentiality, impartiality, awareness of limitations.
Module Content
Building on the introduction to Legal Settings and Institutions in the Autumn Semester (with a focus on legal concepts and terminology), this module constitutes the practice-based component for interpreting and translating in legal contexts.
 
The module is based on weekly language-pair specific practice. The situations covered will include police suspect interview, police witness situations, meeting with lawyer, courtroom situations, immigration interview, translation of legal documents (e.g. statements, indictments, sentences). 

The module develops students' skills in the relevant modes of interpreting (one-way and two-way consecutive, whispered interpreting, sight translation) and relevant translation skills. Special attention will be paid to the linguistic, social and cultural challenges arising from the diverse range of legal settings in which public service interpreters/translators characteristically work today.
 
Students learn to evaluate when to use which working mode and work towards achieving a rigorous ethical code of conduct including confidentiality, impartiality, awareness of limitations, etc.
 
Materials include simulations and where possible authentic materials.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Using a task-based approach, students explore relevant settings of interpreting and translation in the context of the police, the courts and the immigration services and practice the related interpreting and translation tasks.
 
Classroom practice includes weekly interpreting assignments in relevant modes. In addition, students are expected to spend at least 4-6 hours per week practising on interpreting materials, individually and in groups. Regular translation assignments of approx. 220-250 words in length are set throughout the semester.
 
Students are expected to spend time researching the subject and are encouraged to develop Internet and research skills to enable them to find parallel texts and other suitable documents. Interpreting and translation problems arising from in-class practice and homework are discussed in class.
 
Students will be recorded regularly to enable them to analyse and enhance different aspects of their performance.
 
The module will normally involve twenty four hours class contact in the Spring semester.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential reading
Gillies, A. (2005). Note-taking for consecutive interpreting. Manchester: St. Jerome
 
Recommended reading
Corsellis, A. (2008). Public Service Interpreting. The first steps. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Gentile, A. / Ozolins, U. / Vasilakakos, M. (Eds) (1996). Liaison Interpreting: A Handbook. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
Hale, S. (2004). The discourse of court interpreting: discourse practices of the law, the witness and the interpreter. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Hale, S. (2007). Community interpreting. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Heimerl-Moggan, K. / Ifeoma John, V. (2009). Note-taking for Public Service Interpreters. Timperley: Interp-Right Training Consultancy.
Last Updated
11 August 2009