B2543 - Translation from Chinese (Second Language) into Italian

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student is familiar with the documentation tools and basic translation methodologies and techniques; is able to apply them in the pre-translative analysis of the source text and in the drafting of the target text, depending on the communicative functions of the texts to be translated and the translation assignment indicated; is able to apply these dynamics in the translation of a variety of non-specialized texts from Spanish to Italian, in accordance with a basic level of translation competence.

Course contents

This module aims to provide students with the basic skills required to begin translating from Chinese into Italian. By the end of the course, students will be able to use a printed dictionary to:

- Recognize and use Chinese characters in both traditional and simplified forms;

- Analyze short texts by identifying their key lexical and grammatical features; 

- Produce a literal translation for the purpose of understanding the source text;

- Produce an Italian translation that is linguistically accurate and communicatively appropriate; 

- Identify and discuss the main translation challenges posed by linguistic and cultural differences between the source and target texts.

Readings/Bibliography

- Giorgio Casacchia, Bai Yukun (2013), Dizionario cinese - italiano, Libreria editrice Cafoscarina;
- Zhao Xiuying (2013) Il Dizionario di cinese. Dizionario cinese - italiano italiano - cinese, Zanichelli.

The texts to be analyzed will be uploaded to the e-learning platform Virtuale. 

Teaching methods

Lectures and hands-on sessions supported by Power Point presentations. Students are expected to participate actively in class.

Attendance at a minimum of 70% of classes is mandatory.

Assessment methods

The written exam, which lasts 3 hours, will consist of the analysis and translation of a short text in non-simplified characters, similar to those analyzed during the course. It is strictly forbidden to use AI during the exam. Any violation of this rule will be considered a serious breach of acedemic ethics. 
During the exam, only printed dictionaries will be permitted. The use of electronic devices, online dictionaries, machine translation systems, AI-based tools, or other online resources will not be permitted.

The exam will consist of the following parts:

1. Transcription: converting the text written in traditional characters into the corresponding simplified characters, in order to assess the ability to recognize both forms of writing. This part of the exam must be completed in 30 minutes without using a dictionary.
2. Linguistic analysis of the text: identification of lexical elements and annotation of grammatical elements present in the text, accompanied by the production of an initial word-for-word rendering and a subsequent literal translation aimed at understanding the content. This part of the exam must be completed in one hour, using only a printed dictionary.
3. Translation into Italian: production of an Italian version of the text that takes into account the syntactic, lexical, and stylistic differences between the source and target languages. Estimated duration for this phase: 1 hour. Only a printed dictionary may be used.
4. Translation commentary: discussion of the main difficulties encountered during the translation process and the strategies adopted to resolve them. Estimated duration: 30 minutes.

The transcription will be scored on a scale of 0 to 4 out of 30; the linguistic analysis, 0 to 8; the translation, 0 to 14; and the commentary, 0 to 4.

The final grade for the integrated course “Translation from Italian to Chinese I” will be based on the average of the grades earned on the two components of the exam (the written exam for “Translation from Chinese to Italian I” and the exam for “Dialogic Interpretation between Chinese (Second Language) and Italian I”).

Grading Criteria:
30–30L > Excellent performance demonstrating full mastery of the translation skills required for the course level.
27–29 > Above-average performance demonstrating good mastery of the translation skills required for the course level.
24–26 > Satisfactory performance demonstrating decent mastery of the translation skills required for the course level.
21–23 > More than sufficient performance, but with noticeable limitations in the acquisition of the translation skills required for the course
18–20 > Sufficient performance, but with noticeable limitations in the acquisition of the translation skills required for the course.
Insuff. > Insufficient performance; the minimum level of translation proficiency required has not been achieved: the exam must be retaken.

Students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) or with disabilities that can affect their ability to attend courses are invited to contact the University service for students with disabilities and SLD at the earliest opportunity -- ideally before the start of the course: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students. The University service will suggest possible adjustments to the course work and/or exam, which must then be submitted to the course leader so they can assess their feasibility, in line with the learning objectives of the course. Please note that adjustments to the exam must be requested at least two weeks in advance.

 

 

Teaching tools

- Computer with a projector and Internet connection
- Print dictionaries
- E-learning platform Virtuale for texts to be analyzed in class and additional reference materials.

Office hours

See the website of Serena Zuccheri