69562 - Translation from English into Italian II (Second Language)

Learning outcomes

The student - knows the tools (grammars and dictionaries, parallel and comparable corpora) and main translation methods (for micro- and macro-editing, drafting and revision of the target text) - s/he is able to apply them to when translating a variety of even complex texts from English (as their second language of study) into Italian - s/he is able to identify and apply the basic translation strategies most appropriate to the communicative/operative functions of the texts to be translated

Course contents

In this second English-to-Italian translation module, the translation skills, abilities and strategies developed in the previous module are refined and strengthened. The focus in that case was on non-specialized texts intended for a broad audience and on  methods for understanding the source text and for translating it into Italian in a way that is consistent with its functions and registers. In this second module, a step forward is taken towards greater specialisation and professionalisation.

Using the broadly understood textual typology of reporting as a case in point, the module addresses texts related to institutional communication (central bank bulletins and international think-tank reports) and corporate communication (CSR reports). These texts will be translated using different tools and resources based on an assessment of textual characteristics and the availability/effectiveness of the tools and resources themselves. Comparable and parallel corpora will be introduced to support translation 'from scratch', computer-aided translation (CAT) and/or automatic translation with post-editing.

Readings/Bibliography

The source texts to be translated during the module will be made available on the Virtuale platform and, if necessary, distributed by the lecturer in class.

The teaching approach is practical and does not include a reference bibliography. Should further study on specific topics become necessary, the relevant texts will be shared with the students during the module.

Teaching methods

Lessons take place mainly in workshop-like mode and include translation and text analysis exercises (individual or in small groups), the correction of (and reflection on) individual translations carried out as homework, and post-translation revision activities (peer-review).

Students are expected to attend at least 70% of the module lessons.

Assessment methods

Learning is tested through in-class observation and interaction and through the correction of individual and/or group translation tasks.

The final exam lasts 120 minutes and consists of the translation of an extract of about 300 words from a text belonging to one of the text types covered during the module. The resources and tools available will be comparable to those used during the module, including any glossaries, corpora and/or translation memories created ad hoc. The use of machine translation will be subject to evaluation by the lecturer and allowed only following explicit communication to the students. In this case, the length of the text to be translated could increase, generally up to 50%.

The 30 points available for the exam are awarded on the basis of the translation quality achieved, subtracting points according to the severity of errors made, and adding points for particularly good choices.

The final grade for the Integrated Course is obtained by averaging the marks obtained in the two modules.

Teaching tools

PC connected to internet and video projector; laboratory equipped with translation software. Texts are shared in digital format (on Virtuale). During lessons students will have access to dictionaries, software for computer-aided and machine translation and for the creation and analysis of corpora.
As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend the online Modules 1,2.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Bernardini