Translation Portfolio
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC2137 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- MLAC2137
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
Students will be required to build up a portfolio of translations of different text types, such as technical, scientific, promotional, academic, or journalistic texts. Through the practices of translation and editing, they will improve their language skills, gain a better understanding of the cultural and linguistic complexities of the translation process, and learn how to research terminology in specialist subject domains. Where possible, one of the assignments will be a real-life pro bono assignment, giving students the opportunity to practise client-facing skills.
A coursework assessment will replace all failed assessment components at the reassessment stage.
Target Students
A Level 2 core module for MLT students. NOT open to students on any other degree programmes.
Classes
- One 1-hour tutorial each week for 12 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks
Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester
Assessment
- 35% Project 1: Translation Project 1: 500-word translation of a text in specialised domain of students choice and maximum 10-minute recorded discussion of decisions made in the translation process.
- 45% Project 2: Translation Project 2: 750-word translation done on a pro-bono basis for an external client + 750-word written commentary.
- 20% Coursework: Reflective Portfolio: compiling all work completed for the module and a 1500-word reflection on the module, ca. 300-word answers to five questions.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To introduce students to the main challenges associated with translating different text types; to offer students the change to practise their translation skills, thereby improving their language skills; to increase their understanding of the translation process and lay a foundation for extended translation projects in the final year. The modules also offers students a chance to develop more general skills crucial to a career in translation, such as time-management, independent working, team-working and problem-solving and aims to enhance their ability to articulate how their degree is relevant to the workplace.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
• The grammar, structures, registers and practical functioning of the chosen languages. (A1)
• The techniques required for successful working at the interface of the chosen languages and English. (A2)
• Selected aspects of linguistics and the literature, culture, history and/or society in which the chosen languages are spoken.(A3)
• Principles of literary and textual analysis.(A4)
• Linguistic, textual and cultural issues relating to translation, and techniques for resolving difficulties.(A6)
Intellectual Skills
• Undertake close textual analysis of a variety of types of literary and other texts.(B1)
• Engage in independent study and research. (B4)
• Engage in critical and analytic reflection. (B5)
• Engage in exchanges of ideas with others, giving due weight to their opinions. (B7)
• Make a practical and effective use of both English and the target languages. (B8)
Professional and Practical Skills
• Read the target languages in different registers (and recognise the differences). (C3)
• Translate effectively from the target languages into English and from English into the target languages. (C5)
• Work independently with written and spoken source materials in both English and the target languages and evaluate and process the results of research. (C7)
• Present work in conformity with academic conventions. (C8)
Transferable (key) Skills
• Effective communication of information and ideas in appropriate registers of both oral and written English. (D1)
• Gathering, processing and critically evaluating material from a variety of sources, written, oral or audio-visual. (D2)
• Definition of problems and construction of strategies for their solution. (D3)
• Working productively independently. (D4)
• Working and solving problems productively as part of a team. (D5)
• Working productively under pressure. (D6)
• Organising time and work programmes effectively and meeting deadlines. (D7)
• Effective use of IT as a means of communication, presentation and learning. (D8)
• Ability to reflect on his/her own performance and recognise strengths and weaknesses. (D9)
• General personal skills: self-reliance, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence. (D10)