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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: TRAM056 Module Title: TRANSLATION ISSUES I
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: LIT575
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: ROGERS MA Prof (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability

Semester 1
Assessment Pattern
 

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Guided commentary
30%
One 3000 word essay
70%
Qualifying Condition(s): An average mark of 50% must be achieved

 
Module Overview
This module provides students with a framework for understanding important aspects of translations and translating, drawing on key concepts from text linguistics, semiotics and text processing, as well as terminology studies..
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

None
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to:
  • locate translation in a textlinguistic framework;
  • raise students’ awareness of the complexity of the relation between words, their forms and their meanings, particularly in specialised language;
  • raise students’ awareness of translation as a process of text comprehension and creation;
  • provide an understanding of the role of different modes of communication and their interaction in translation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will:
  • be able to discuss translation as a complex cognitive-linguistic mediation process
  • be able to analyse translation equivalence based on an understanding of lexical/terminological relations in the context of other relevant textlinguistic considerations;
  • critically appraise the notions of text type and genre conventions and apply these in a reflective way to translation decisions;
  • be able to make translation decisions based on an understanding of how texts may incorporate different semiotic modes of communication.
Module Content
  • Specialist translation from a historical perspective; strategies for solving translation problems;
  • What is a text (dimensions and characteristics of texts);
  • Text typology and translation;
  • Genre, genre conventions and intercultural variation;
  • What is terminology; types of problems (e.g. polysemy, synonymy) and possible solutions;
  • The processing dimension: text comprehension and creation under translation conditions; types of knowledge involved in translation;
  • The semiotic dimension in translation: different modes of communication and their interaction in texts.
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Lectures will be supported by occasional tutorials in smaller groups. There is an opportunity for discussion during and at the end of the lectures. Assistance with researching and writing assignments are offered during tutorials.
 
The module will involve twenty two hours' class contact over the semester as well as individual tutorials by arrangement.
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential reading
Baker, M. (1992) In Other Words. A Coursebook on Translation. London & New York: Routledge
Hatim, B. & Mason, I. (1990) Discourse and the Translator. New York: Longman.
Neubert, A. & Shreve, G. (1992) Translation as Text. Kent, Ohio/London, UK: Kent State University Press.
Newmark P (1991) A Textbook of Translation. London: Prentice Hall.
 
Recommended reading
Anderman G & Rogers M (eds) (1999) Word, Text, Translation. Cleveland: Multilingual Matters.
Beaugrande, R. de & Dressler, W.U. (1981) Introduction to Text Linguistics. London: Longman. 
Bell, R. (1991) Translation and Translating. New York: Longman.
Blum-Kulka, Shoshona (1986) ‘Shifts of cohesion and coherence in translation’. In: J. House & S. Blum-Kulka (eds) Interlingual and Intercultural Communication. Tübingen: Gunter Narr, pp.17-35. (reprinted in L. Venuti (ed.) (2000), pp.298-313)
Bowker, L. & Pearson, J. (2002) Working with Specialized Language - A practical guide to using corpora. London: Routledge
Brown, G & Yule, G. (1983) Discourse Analysis. Cambridge: CUP
Delisle, Jean & Woodsworth, Judith (eds) (1995) Translators through History. Amsterdam/Philadelphia, PA: Benjamins & UNESCO Publishing.
Englund Dimitrova, B. (2005) Expertise and Explicitation in the Translation Process. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Gambier, Y. & Gottlieb, H. (eds) (2001) (Multi)Media Translation. Benjamins: Amsterdam.
Halliday, M.A.K. & Hasan, R. (1976) Cohesion in English. London: Longman.
Hatim, B. & Mason, I. (1997) The Translator as Communicator. London: Routledge.
Hickey, L. (ed.) (1998) The Pragmatics of Translation. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Neubert, A. (1985) Text and Translation. Leipzig: Verlag Enzyklopädie.
Nida, E.A. (2002) Contexts in Translating. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Nord, C. (1991) Text Analysis in Translation. Amsterdam-Atlanta, GA: Rodopi. Translated from the German by C. Nord and P. Sparrow.
Nord, C. (1997) Translating as a purposeful activity : functionalist approaches explained. Manchester : St. Jerome
Reiss, K. (2000) Translation Criticism: The Potentials and Limitations. Categories and Criteria for Translation Quality Assessment. Manchester: St. Jerome. Translated by Erroll F. Rhodes
Sager, J. (1990) A Practical Course in Terminology Processing. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
Snell-Hornby, M. (1988) Translation Studies: An Integrated Approach. John Benjamins: Amsterdam. (Ch. 3: Translation, text and language; Ch.4.2. The factor of style)
van Dijk, T.A. & Kintsch, W. (1983) Strategies of Discourse Comprehension. New York: Academic Press.
Widdowson, H.G. (2004) Text, Context, Pretext: Critical Issues in Discourse Analysis. Oxford: Blackwell.
Wright, Sue Ellen / Wright, Leland D. (1997) Terminology Management for Technical Translation. In Wright, Sue Ellen / Budin, Gerhard (eds) Handbook of Terminology Management Volume I Basic Aspects of Terminology Management. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 147-159.
 
Background reading
Baker M & Malmkjær K (eds) (1997) Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London: Routledge.
Kelly, Louis (1979) The True Interpreter. A History of Translation Theory and Practice in the West. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Venuti, L. (ed.) (2000) The Translation Studies Reader. London: Routledge.
 
Journals
Fachsprache, Meta, Target, Terminology, The Translator.
 
Magazines/Newsletters
Information on many translation and terminology-related products and topical issues can be found in:
ITI Bulletin
The Linguist (Institute of Linguists)
TermNet News - http://www.termnet.org/english/products_service/TermNetNews.php (last visited 7 July 2007)
Last Updated

6 May 2011