TRAM260

2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Module Code: TRAM260

Module Title: ECONOMIC/BUSINESS TRANSLATION II

Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies	Short Name: TRAM260
Level: M	Module Co-ordinator: KORKAS V Mr (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 (%)
A dossier of 4 translations selected from the weekly translation homework, plus 1 longer translation of 500 words to be presented towards the end of semester.	40%
A three-hour computers-only examination at the end of semester 2. Two semi-specialised economics/business text of approximately 280-300 words each must be translated.	60%
Qualifying Condition(s): A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module.

Module Overview

The module is aimed at acquiring advanced skills and strategies for economics/business translation in a variety of professional settings and expectations. Through a range of class-work exercises and homework assignments, the module will enable students to consolidate and expand the skills developed in “Economics/Business Translation I” and to apply them in a professional capacity. Critical reflection upon different translation situations will help students to prepare for professional practice in a wide variety of economics/business text types and genres.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites

Successful completion of Economics/Business Translation I or equivalent, normally at Masters level.

Module Aims

This module aims to provide students with no previous knowledge of specialist translation in this area with professional-level competence in the translation of economics and business texts between English and another language from those available (subject to demand and staffing). The module incorporates selected aspects of the principles of economics as a basis for the translation work according to expertise and relevance to the particular translation pair and further translation-related research.

This module aims to:

· provide a grounding on activities that revolve around translation practice per se (e.g. background research, reviewing, presentation, etc.);

· familiarise students with economics and business terminology and style from selected sub-fields through practical work on texts;

· offer the opportunity for extensive background reading in economics/business including relevant legal domains in English and another language as a basis for informed translation practice;

· encourage research into economics/business including relevant legal topics in order to gain an insight into the complexities of translation in these areas.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student will:

· be able to use the World Wide Web effectively for monolingual and bilingual terminology research;

· proofread, edit and revise own and third-party translations;

· have acquired the skills and knowledge to research translation problems e.g. related to terminology, genre conventions and style;

· be able to identify, analyse and solve problems when translating economics/business documents;

· be able to describe and explain the characteristics of various economics/business documents including relevant legal text genres;

· be able to apply the principles of economics/business in the decision-making process of solving translation problems, and to identify and locate appropriate reference material;

· be able to translate, revise and format specialised economics/business texts of various genres in selected sub-fields to a standard approaching a professionally acceptable/revisable level.

Module Content

Practical translation workshops

Texts are selected from a variety of sources that reflect the needs and demands of the market in selected sub-fields. The specific subject matter will vary depending on language combination and tutor expertise.

Principles of Applied Economics

financial terminology; central banking and the monetary system; foreign exchange markets; European Monetary Union; the international monetary system and international finance.

Methods of Teaching/Learning

Translation practice:

Classes generally take the form of group workshops, sometimes on unseen texts. Translation assignments of 250-300 words in length are normally set each week. One longer translation of 500 words will be set over Easter. Students are expected to spend time researching the subject and are encouraged to develop on-line and off-line research skills to enable them to find parallel texts. Translation problems arising from assignment texts are discussed in class. The module will normally involve twenty-two hours class contact.

Principles of Applied Economics:

Informal lectures with a high degree of student participation, incorporating case studies. Contact time: 1 hour per week

Selected Texts/Journals

Essential reading:

Parkin M, Powell M & Matthew K (2008) Economics Harlow: Addison Wesley 7th edn