Unit information: Applied Translation (French) in 2020/21

Unit name	Applied Translation (French)
Unit code	MODLM2018
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Carol O'Sullivan
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

A programme of applied translation between French and English in a broad range of text types. Students will be required to submit annotated translations to the Blackboard discussion board and to participate in group discussion and feedback. In so doing, they will be expected to evaluate the nature of the source text and its anticipated readership and to consider different translation strategies and solutions, drawing on experience gained also in the unit on Theories of Translation. They will develop their competence in editing and revising translated texts.

Aims:

A programme of applied translation between French and English in a broad range of text types. Students will be required to submit annotated translations to the Blackboard discussion board and to participate in group discussion and feedback. In so doing, they will be expected to evaluate the nature of the source text and its anticipated readership and to consider different translation strategies and solutions, drawing on experience gained also in the unit on Theories of Translation. They will develop their competence in editing and revising translated texts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will have:

1. Linguistic knowledge and understanding of their study of Translation Theory, and will enhance their ability to reflect critically on the practice of translation.
2. Be skilled in evaluating a range of translation strategies, and will have confidence and competence as translators through conscious motivation of contextually-based choices.
3. Gained experience in appropriate methods of researching the linguistic and cultural context of source texts. Students will acquire experience of translating to a variety of task-specific briefs, working quickly but accurately to a series of submission deadlines.
4. The ability to format their assessed submissions to professional standards.

Teaching Information

Delivered through distance learning, via Blackboard.

Students will be set regular tasks and submission deadlines. They will construct reflective portfolios, and evaluate their own practice and that of their peers in accordance with ethical guidelines. The unit tutor will oversee the group discussion, accessing the discussion board on a weekly basis, providing brief comments on individual performance and more extended group feedback.

Assessment Information

1 x 2,000-word learning log reflecting on the student's practice of translation: 25% (ILOs 1-4) 2 x 800-word annotated translations (translation 60% of each assignment and annotations + 700-word commentary 40% of each assignment): 75% (ILOs 1-4)

Reading and References

• Mona Baker, In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation (Routledge: 1992)

• Basil Hatim and Jeremy Munday, Translation: An Advanced Resource Book (Routledge: 2004)

Students will be required to acquire a range of good reference books and to develop extensive familiarity with electronic resources, on which advice will be given by the unit tutor.