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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: GER2028 Module Title: TRANSLATION SKILLS FOR GERMAN EXCHANGE ENGLISH-GERMAN
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: GER2028
Level: HE2 Module Co-ordinator: DLASKA A Prof (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 5 Number of ECTS credits: 2.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 2
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
50 minute unseen class test at end of  Semester 2
40%
3 best texts completed during year
60%

Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module
Module Overview
This module introduces students to the theory and practice of translation. It is primarily a practical module where students learn about the issues involved in translating from English to German, by translating texts every week, in class and outside.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Successful completion of Level 1 German modules or equivalent
Module Aims
The module aims to introduce translation as a process involving an explicit understanding of both source and target language, and to give students practice in the art of translation.
Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  • Recognise a number of common problems involved in translating between German and English: difference in use of tenses, cultural allusions, colloquialisms, problems related to register, faux amis, co-reference.
  • Begin to develop strategies for dealing with these difficulties.
  • Use a bilingual dictionary effectively.
  • Translate passages of English into accurate German, using appropriate style and register.
Module Content
Translation will be introduced as a process involving an explicit understanding of both source and target language.
Students will be presented with a variety of texts in English, mainly journalistic, chosen to illustrate a wide variety of translation problems. These texts will be analysed and discussed with a view to finding possible solutions to the problems they raise.
Students will regularly hand in translations prepared outside class, in order to have feedback and improve their translation skills.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
One contact hour per week in semester 2. Classes are practical and interactive.
Selected Texts/Journals
Passages for translation, practice and assignments will be supplied by the module tutor.

A good bilingual dictionary is crucial (e.g. Oxford-Duden, Collins), together with a monolingual German dictionary (e.g. Langenscheidts Großwörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache or Wörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache, de Gruyter) and a monolingual English dictionary (e.g. Collins, Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English).
It is recommended that you learn how to use the CD-Rom network in the Library in order to access other sources.

Hervey, S., Higgins, I., & Loughridge, M. (1995) Thinking German Translation. A course in translation method: German to English. London: Routledge.

Munday, J. (2001) Introducing Translation Studies. Theories and Applications. London: Routledge.
Last Updated
14.09.09