30085 - English Language (LM) (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The student has an in-depth knowledge of linguistic and discursive aspects of the English language, from both a synchronic and diachronic perspective, including its applications to textual analysis and translation. Through practical exercises, his/her communicative competence in all skills, active and passive, progresses towards level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference, which enables him/her to effectively interpret the socio-linguistic and cultural codes of those involved in a communicative relationship.

Course contents

Translation Studies: Theory and Practice

The course aims to offer an overview of the main theories in the field of Translation Studies and to provide students with the necessary resources and tools to deal with the translation of literary texts of various kinds.
The theoretical discourse will inform practice by offering approaches, methods and strategies aimed at developing the students' awareness of translation processes and at solving the linguistic-cultural difficulties that will emerge.
The practical part of the course will be workshop-based. Students will be presented with texts from various literary genres. Before proceeding to the actual translation, the texts will be carefully analysed in order to identify their distictive features and the most appropriate translation approach. Students will be invited to intervene and discuss their translation proposals in a peer-to-peer exchange aimed at critically reflecting on the translation strategies adopted and developing the ability to motivate and justify their choices.
Both text analysis and translation activities will be carried out in class, as well as the collective discussion of the texts translated at home, which will allow students to deepen the processes of self- and other-revision. Students will also be asked to work in collaborative mode.
Particular attention will also be paid to the editorial standards and mechanisms of the Italian publishing world.

The "Esercitazioni" component, on the other hand, consists of 36 hours of activities aimed at acquiring linguistic and communicative skills through textual analysis, in-depth study of complex language structures and analysis of the most effective strategies in written production.

Readings/Bibliography

THEORY OF TRANSLATION - Required text:
MUNDAY, Jeremy (2012), Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications, London/New York, Routledge.

TRANSLATION PRACTICE: The texts to be translated will be made available from week to week on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

1. Lectures on translation theory

2. Translation workshops

3. Work on language and writing in the "Esercitazioni" part

For the practical part, students are asked to bring a bilingual dictionary to class, either in paper or digital format.

Since all module activities require competence in both working languages, all students are required to have a minimum language proficiency level of B2 for English and CELI3 for Italian (according to the parameters of the Council of Europe).

Assessment methods

The assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students.

There are two stages in the examination:

1. A written test relating to the "Lezioni frontali" part (translation theory and practice)

2. A written test relating to the "Esercitazioni" part.

The written test relating to the "Lezioni frontali" part consists of a) a test aimed at verifying the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course and b) the translation from English into Italian of a passage of approximately 300 words accompanied by a commentary.

Students will have 30 minutes for the test and 90 minutes for the translation.

The "Lezioni frontali" component of the course is worth 2/3 of the overall assessment for the Lingua Inglese LM exam; the "Esercitazioni" component is worth 1/3.

Teaching tools

The lectures will also make use of ppt presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Crea