69433 - Translation from German into Italian I (Second Language)

Learning outcomes

 

The student will get to know how to correctly use all tools (grammars, dictionaries and text corpora) and basic translation methods (analysis of the source text and its translation into the target text). She/He will be able to apply them in the translation of a variety of simple texts from German into Italian, as well as to identify and apply the most appropriate basic translation strategies to the communicative/operational functions of the texts to be translated.

 

 

Course contents

 

The first part of the course includes two stages of approach to the translation of texts from German. In the first stage, some preliminary notions of textual analysis technique and theory of translation will be introduced. Starting from the analysis of the textual functions in which a text can be articulated, the concept of text typology will be introduced on the basis of concrete examples of texts that will be briefly analyzed in their typological, functional, structural and linguistic features, highlighting the need to recognize the kind of linguistic register used as well as elements of the author’s style, the kind of target reader of the translation and the final location of the translated text.

In the second stage, structural, lexical, prosodical and cultural problems in the transposition of a text from German into Italian will be discussed, with particular attention to the use of modal verbs, compound words, subjunctive, idiomatic forms, cultural elements and the use of punctuation.

The second part of the course will be dealing with the analysis and the translation into Italian of non specialized texts with increasing difficulty (semi-specialist texts). The texts will be analyzed under the supervision of the teacher and the analysis with be carried out based on the previously identified categories, and the major structural, grammatical and thematic problem of the source text will be highlighted. At this stage, some guidelines for a proper use of lexicographical sources, monolingual and bilingual dictionaries and any other reference tools (web pages) will be introduced, as well as a series of critical-practical reflections on automatic translation programmes.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

 

Ballestracci, Sabrina: Stili e testi in lingua tedesca, Carocci, Roma, 2013 [Excerpts].

Delli Castelli, Barbara: “La corrispondenza imperfetta. Riflessioni sulla traduzione letteraria e la traduzione specializzata”, in «Traduttologia. Rivista di interpretazione e traduzione», vol. III, n. 5-6 (2007-2008), pp. 133-152.

Nord, Christiane: Textanalyse und Übersetzen. Theoretische Grundlagen, Methode und didaktische Anwendung einer übersetzungsrelevanten Textanalyse, Groos, Heidelberg, 2009 [Excerpts].

 

Further materials will be made available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en)

 

 

Teaching methods

 

The translation of each text will be prepared by students individually and will be discussed in the following lesson. The Italian text will be finally analyzed as a whole in order to assess textual macrostructures consistency and functional adequacy.

Lectures will alternate with work sessions in groups, within which short translation projects will be carried out.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend the online Modules 1 and 2 on Health and Safety [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas].

 

Assessment methods

 

Mid-term test: a translation test will be carried out some weeks before the end of the course and is meant to assess the level of acquired translation skills. It is just a mock test.

Translation of own choice: a text up to 250 words will be chosen by the student, translated into Italian and delivered to the teacher before the exam at the end of the course.

Final exam: written translation of a text of about 250 words, 90 minutes, in line with those carried out during the course, with the help of monolingual dictionaries (Italian and German) and the full range of documentary resources available.

 

Learning assessment table

 

30-30 Lode: excellent paper demonstrating excellent acquisition of the expected knowledge, as well as language rendering skills showing complete mastery of the target language.

27-29: above average paper, with minor errors or otherwise compensated for by more than adequate demonstration of the knowledge and skills to be acquired.

24-26: good test, but with some issues regarding linguistic performance, completeness of content and management of the communicative situation.

21-23: sufficient test, but with noticeable limitations and inaccuracies of form and content in the management of linguistic material, interlingual and intercultural communicative situation and contents of the source text; knowledge and skills to be acquired.

18-20: barely sufficient proof which meets the minimum criteria for the conscious handling of the source text, but shows serious linguistic and communicative gaps and a poor ability to handle the interlingual and intercultural communicative situation; a great deal of knowledge and ability to acquire.

< 18: Insufficient evidence of adequate acquisition of the expected knowledge, skills and abilities. The examination should be retaken.

 

The final mark is the average between the final translation of active translation and passive translation.

 

 

Teaching tools

 

• Microsoft Teams;

• personal computer, video projector;

• software: Word;

• internet, search engines;

• online resources: electronic dictionaries, daily and weekly newspapers in German language;

• printed resources: dictionaries, grammars, manuals;

• course materials made available on the Virtuale platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en) and on Google Drive.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Benedetti