Unit information: CAT Tools in 2018/19

Unit name	CAT Tools
Unit code	MODLM0013
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Nunes Vieira
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Students will acquire an understanding of and familiarity with translation software applications including SDL Trados and develop a practical competence in the range of functionalities offered. They will use a range of translations (their own and/or already existing texts) in order to build up a data-base of materials. This will form the basis of a critical evaluation of the software, requiring analysis of its strengths and limitations in relation to different translation contexts.

Aims: The unit aims to introduce students to translation software applications so as to enable them to analyse and evaluate their functionalities from the perspective of the practising translator. The unit will require students to appreciate and reflect critically on the strengths and limitations of such software applications in different professional contexts, and to assess their impact on the translator.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a practical knowledge of computer-assisted translation and an understanding of different translation software applications currently used in the translation industry
2. assess and critically evaluate the strengths and weakness of computer-assisted translation in a range of different contexts within the translation industry
3. reflect critically on the impact of computer applications on the role of the professional translator.

Teaching Information

This unit runs throughout the academic year in fortnightly two-hour laboratory sessions led by the tutor. These will enable the students to learn to use industry-standard computer-assisted translation tools. Students will build their own term bases and translation memories and will also explore adaptive and interactive machine translation. They will manage translation projects, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different CAT tool features, research the use of CAT tools in the translation industry and reflect critically on the impact these tools have on the role of the translator. Students will be expected to apply what they learn in this unit to activities carried out in other units of the programme.

Assessment Information

A computer-assisted translation project (50%) (ILO 1)

A 2,500-word essay (50%) (ILOS1-3)

Reading and References

The reading list for this unit is available at https://bristol.rl.talis.com/lists/417DB6F8-9C75-E945-13FB-D675F9247159.html.