27399 - Specialized Translation between English and Italian I (CL2)

Learning outcomes

The learner - has an understanding of the strategies, techniques, tools (both traditional and advanced) and methods used in specialised translation - s/he is able to apply them in the translation of texts belonging to several genres and text types, both technical/scientific and for the publishing industry, on paper, electronic and multimedia support, between English and Italian, responding to specific translation briefs - s/he is aware of and able to use documentation, writing, editing and revision techniques - s/he is able to choose and apply the advanced translation strategies that seem to best respond to the communicative and operative functions of the source texts.

Course contents

The course has three modules:

1. Multimedia translation (C. Rundle and C. Bucaria)
Practical introduction to Subtitling

2. Translation for publishing (G. Scocchera)
The aim of this module is to provide students with a set of tools to be used when translating for publishing companies (both fiction and non-fiction texts), in particular the ability to grasp the peculiarities of the text type, (be it essay writing, manuals, young fiction, adult fiction, comic strips) and to enact suitable translation strategies in producing usable texts in Italian. Depending on the text type introduced, such issues as semantic and syntactic analysis, style, register, readership will be discussed in class.

3. Technical/scientific translation module (S. Bernardini)
This module focuses on technical texts in the domain of software documentation. When tackling specialised texts in this area, special care will be taken to enhance documentation, writing and revision strategies. To this end, CAT and corpus query tools, i.e. IT tools usually used in the profession, will also be practiced.

Readings/Bibliography

Bhatia, K.B. 1993. Analysing genre. London and New York: Longman.
Bowker, L. and J. Pearson 2002. Working with the specialised language. London: Routledge.
Eggins, S. 1994. An introduction to systemic functional linguistics. London: Pinter.
Faini, P. (2004) Tradurre. Dalla teoria alla pratica. Roma: Carocci.
Garzone G. (a cura di) 2005. Esperienze del Tradurre. Aspetti teorici e applicativi. Milano: Franco Angeli.
Mossop, B. 2007. Revising and Editing for Translators. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.
Reiss, K. 1981(2000) "Type, kind and individuality of text: Decision making in translation". Transl. Susan Kitron. Poetics today 2,4: 121-131. Reprinted in Venuti, L. (ed). The Translation Studies reader. London: Routledge.
Zacchi, R. e M. Morini (a cura di) 2002. Manuale di traduzioni dall'inglese. Milano: Bruno Mondadori Campus.

Further titles will be provided during the lessons.

Teaching methods

Multimedia translation module
The lessons will be run as workshops with a strong focus on practical exercises.

Translation for publishing module
After a first reading/analysis phase, providing information on text, context, author, ideal reader, students will be asked to individually translate the text given as assignment. Translations will then be discussed in class and the analysis and evaluation of translation choices will serve as a starting point for further theoretical and practical insight. Translation assignments will be assessed also through the "peer assessment" practice, in order to stimulate a more critical awareness of own' s one and other people's work.

Technical/scientific translation module
Classes will be held in the computer lab, with substantial hands-on practice of translation (in pairs and small groups), of IT tools and of revision tasks, the latter being also carried out as peer assessment.

Assessment methods

The course is partly assessed by coursework, partly through an end of course examination. The latter will be taken in the computer lab, and students will be able to use the tools with which they practiced during the course.

Teaching tools

Multimedia translation module
Subtitling and digital video editing software

Translation for publishing module
Networked PC with Internet access

Technical/scientific translation module
Networked PC with Internet access
CAT and corpus query tools

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Bernardini

See the website of Giovanna Scocchera

See the website of Chiara Bucaria