78686 - Translation - French (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims at introducing contemporary theoretical debates in Translation Studies, and at providing the students with the methodologies and the tools necessary to translate different text-types. Students are expected to be aware of how translation is not only a linguistic operation, but also a cultural one. Lectures will provide an overview of scholarly research on translation, with particular attention to the main historical and contemporary translation approaches – especially those of Francophone scholars. The students are expected to become expert in the translation, from French into Italian, of different text-types, mainly dealing with social sciences and literature, and become aware of the problems encountered and the strategies employed. They are made familiar with the inextricable text-context connection, the professional task of the translator, his/her identity, “visibility” and ethics, the role of the commissioner, the purpose/function of a translation, the main types of translation and of translation strategies. They are also made aware of methodologies to solve problems arising in particular from cultural differences and linguistic varieties. Language classes aim at improving students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of French should reach the level C2 according to the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students writing skills in particular.

Course contents

PROGRAMMES AND EXAMINATIONS ARE THE SAME FOR ATTENDING AND NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS.

ERASMUS STUDENTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO CONTACT THE TEACHERS.

The course is divided in:

 Language classes (2nd semester) TH. MANCONI

The translation seminars, linked to the core course in French Translation, aim to examine, through a contrastive Italian/French approach, the morphosyntactic specificities of both languages, the mastery of which is essential for tackling the specific linguistic challenges encountered in translation. The final written assessment involves the translation of a passage from Italian into French.

Educational objectives:

• In order to translate texts (of various types) from Italian into French, the learning objectives focus on the acquisition and mastery of 1) the morphosyntactic structures of French; 2) the semantic and lexical specificities of both languages; 3) sociolinguistic adaptation, particularly through the concepts of linguistic repertoire, variation (diachronic, diaphasic, diastratic, diatopic, diamesic), heteroglossia, sociolect, and specialised languages; 4) intercultural competence.

• The translation process also involves 1) establishing the expectations of the context in which both the source text and the target text will be read, in order to formulate appropriate hypotheses and translation strategies; 2) mastering translation techniques, so as to grasp and render cultural references and realia, thereby avoiding trivialisation and a flattening of the source text’s intended meaning.

A significant part of the exercises will therefore be devoted to the

critical comparison of original texts and published translations, in order to analyse 1) the translator’s intentions; 2) translation strategies: literal translation, target-oriented translation, source-oriented translation; 3) lexical and/or morphosyntactic constraints, and idioms; 4) translation techniques such as adaptation, étoffement/elaboration, explicitation, compensation, loss, expansion, omission, unjustified additions, surtraduction/hyper-translation, sous-traduction/under-translation, and interference...

For detailed program, methodology, educational content, exam test, see webpage of the lecturer.

 

LECTURES (2nd semester - C. NANNONI)

Translation and translation studies: theories, approaches, practices

The course will provide an overview of the main issues in translation studies that have been debated in the history of reflection on the translation, illustrated through practical examples referring to different types of texts and various genres of translation. Priority will be given to the areas of editorial translation and intersemiotic translation.

The student will be asked to reflect on the issues raised by the comparison between the original texts and translations produced and published (translation criticism) and to formulate hypotheses of translation on the basis of criteria and strategies that will be discussed and defined, in reference to the variables involved in the various cases.

A key role will also be played by training in documentary and lexicographical / lexicological research and the reflection on the context of use of any translation produced.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Language classes (Manconi)

Marie-France Merger & Lorella Sini, Le nouveau côte à côte, Amon, 2013

 

Official Course (Nannoni)

M. Guidère, Introduction à la traductologie. Penser la traduction: hier, aujourd'hui, demain, De Boeck, Bruxelles, 2010. [only chap. 1,2,3,4,5]

A. Berman, Pour une critique des traductions: John Donne, Paris, Gallimard, 1995 [First part: pp. 1-97].

J. Podeur, Jeux de traduction, Napoli, Liguori, 2008.

N. Diament, C.Gibello e L. Kiefé (éd.) Traduire les livres pour la jeunesse: enjeux et spécificités, Paris, Hachette, 2008 [solo i seguenti 3 saggi: I. Nières-Chevrel, pp. 17-30; L. Kiefé, pp.31-42; V. Douglas, pp. 107-116].

CELOTTI N., Méditer sur la traduction des bandes dessinées : une perspective de sémiologie parallèle, Rivista internazionale di tecnica della traduzione, n° 5, 2000, pp. 29-61 http://hdl.handle.net/10077/2903  

Further information about other required or suggested  texts will be made available during the course and through Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it/). Specific indications for the individual final essay required will also be given during the course.  (see Assessment methods/Official Course)

Teaching methods

Activities

Language classes - Th. Manconi 

Written production:

• translation into French of Italian texts of various types
 
  •correct use of the language and of an appropriate vocabulary
  • Educational strategies and methodology:
  • following a path of progressive difficulty, giving students a text, to be translated for the next lesson;
• during the following lesson:
• sentence after sentence, socialization of possible translations;
• identification of the difficulties and the consequent specific needs of the text;
• correction, debate

 

OFFICIAL COURSE - C. Nannoni

Lectures will be accompanied by practical exercises, to do individually or in small groups, and by the discussion of translation problems and possible translation strategies.

Assessment methods

The written exam on the language component of the course (esercitazioni), must be passed before the exam of the official course. It will make up part of the final mark.

Written examination and final assessment:

• 1 final written examination (translation from Italian to French - approximately 300 words / time allowed: 3 hours): May/September/January session;

• Evaluation: understanding of the source-text; strategies adopted to translate linguistic variations or other features of the text; fluency of the translated text; Grammatical and lexical accuracy.

During the exam students can use : monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, glossaries, course material, Internet, etc.

The use of AI tools during the examination is prohibited in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced translation tools, content synthesisers and tools built into devices. Any use of AI is considered a breach of the principle of honesty and fairness set out in the Policy and may result in the examination being cancelled by the lecturer.

N.B. Each part of the exam is valid for 4 exam sessions.

 

 THE EXAM OF THE OFFICIAL COURSE consists of

1. A short essay (10 pages) written in French about a topic linked to the course and / or linked to the student's particular interests, subject to prior approval by the Professor. The essay should be sent through EOL to the teacher at least ten days before the oral exam. .

2. The oral exam consists of a discussion of the student's written essay and expanding on some theoretical issues concerning the whole program.

   EVALUATION

   The evaluation of the essay will take into account the articulation of the chosen topic, the relevance of bibliographic references, the clarity, the capacity of personal reflection on the material and the ideas proposed in class, and the linguistic accuracy of the work. Individual analysis of specific cases of translation, chosen from the text types presented, will be especially appreciated.

   The oral exam will evaluate the student's ability to present his work, the ability to argue his/her own choices and statements, the ability to relate his/her work to the rest of the program, the language skills of production, understanding and oral interaction.

The use of AI tools for the examination is prohibited in any form,

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the teacher(s) in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer and copying (Cc) the email address [disabilita@unibo.it](mailto:disabilita@unibo.it ) (in case of disability) or [dsa@unibo.it](mailto:dsa@unibo.it ) (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Teaching tools

Language classes - Manconi

• Teaching materials (PPT) uploaded to the virtual learning platform
• Text types: comics, children’s books, novels, essays, newspaper articles, songs
  

 

Official course - Nannoni

Printed and audiovisual material, PPT, on line resources.

Office hours

See the website of Catia Nannoni