82034 - Specialized Translation from Italian into French

Learning outcomes

The student knows the strategies, techniques, traditional and state-of-the-art tools and methods used in specialized translation tasks; s/he is able to apply them to the translation of technical and scientific texts from different genres and text types, from Italian into French, meeting specific translation briefs and respecting the communicative functions of the source texts; s/he knows the basic techniques required for information mining, drafting, editing and revising texts, including the overall quality evaluation of the translated text.

Course contents

The module (40 hours) aims to broaden and refine the analytical, writing, translation, technological and methodological skills previously acquired, applying them to specialist texts drawn from professional practice. Its objective is to produce translations that fully comply with the translation brief as well as with the characteristics of the text type and the target audience, within a professional framework.

The course will focus in particular on:

• the stages of the translation process, from the initial request and acceptance of the assignment to post‑delivery client satisfaction checks,

• the resources and tools available to professional translators and revisers,

• the various text types and the elements that shape translation choices (culture, target audience, client, purpose of the text, medium, deadlines, etc.),

• the use of translation technologies,

• specific features and common challenges encountered when translating from Italian into French.

Translation tasks will cover the following sectors:

• marketing and tourism communication, with an introduction to web localisation,

• corporate communication (privacy policies, general terms and conditions of sale, etc.),

• technical translation (manuals, technical data sheets, etc.).

Attendance is compulsory at 70%.

Readings/Bibliography

Required reading and online resources:

J. Podeur (2016). La pratica della traduzione, dal francese in italiano e dall'italiano in francese. Napoli, Liguori Editore.

Jiménez-Crespo, M. A. (2013). Translation and web localization. New York, Routledge.

Agar, M. (2006). Culture: Can You Take It Anywhere? International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5 (2), 1–16.

Cappelli, G. (2007). The translation of tourism-related websites and localization. Rassegna italiana di linguistica applicata, 39(1-2), 97–115.

Bouffard, P., Caignon, P. (2006). Localisation et variation linguistique. Vers une géolinguistique de l’espace virtuel francophone. Meta, 51 (4), 806–823.

Cziffra, M. (2013). Franglais et anglicismes : quand le français se met à parler anglais. SlateFR. http://www.slate.fr/story/69533/francais-anglais-angliscismes-franglais

Kas, D. (2019). Pourquoi le fait de tutoyer ses clients est-il une idée désastreuse en marketing ? Dimitri Kas. https://dimitrikas.ch/tutoyer-clients-erreur-marketing-marques/

Dictionnaire des collocations: http://www.tonitraduction.net/

Dictionnaire Electronique des Synonymes (DES) : https://crisco4.unicaen.fr/des/

France Terme: https://www.culture.fr/franceterme

Portail lexical du Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales: https://www.cnrtl.fr/ 

 

Recommended reading:

Ladmiral, J.-R. (2015). Sourcier ou cibliste. Les profondeurs de la traduction. Paris, Les Belles Lettres.

Prime, N., Usunier, J.C. (2003). Marketing international. Développement des marchés et management multiculturel. Paris, Vuibert.

Singh, N., Pereira, A. (2005). The Culturally Customized Web Site. Customizing Web Sites for the Global Marketplace. Oxford, Elsevier.

Festa I. (2022). Moda illustrata. Il linguaggio dell'abbigliamento. Ediz. italiana, inglese e francese. Milano, Hoepli.

Durieux C. (2010). La traduction technique : Fondement didactique de la traduction technique. Paris, La Maison du Dictionnaire.

Grande dizionario tecnico francese-italiano; italiano-francese. A cura di Edigeo. Milano, Hoepli.

Grevisse M. (2014). Le français correct. Guide pratique des difficultés. Louvain-la-Neuve, De Boeck Supérieur.

Soulié J. (2026). La Bible du certificat Voltaire. Paris, L’Etudiant éditions.

 

Teaching methods

The classes will be delivered in a seminar and workshop format, with individual, pair and group translation practice. The students’ work will be the subject of collective analysis, reflection and research activities, which will require active participation. Whenever necessary, workshop sessions will be complemented by theoretical input on the topics addressed.

Translations will be carried out using the CAT tool Trados Studio. Additional alternative tools and resources will be introduced during the course.

In the assignments produced, students will be asked to include short comments on some of their translation choices.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend the online Modules 1, 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

The final examination consists of a three‑hour translation test (approximately 250–300 words), accompanied by a commentary in the format introduced during the course. The exam will take place in a computer-equipped classroom, with internet access and all the resources and tools used throughout the module. The topic and level of difficulty of the exam text will be consistent with those of the texts used during the translation practice sessions.

Limited use of AI is permitted for specific tasks during the exam, such as spelling and grammar check and terminological research. The student will be asked to submit a statement indicating how AI was used. Generative use of AI to actually produce exam work is strictly forbidden. Any violation of this rule will be considered a serious breach of academic ethics.

Assessment will take into account:

• translation errors (sense, terminology, lexis, phraseology, grammar, textual conventions, style, omissions, unjustified additions),

• particularly effective solutions and choices,

• the ability to identify elements requiring further investigation and to justify the corresponding decisions.

Grading scale:

30-30L Excellent level. The candidate possesses excellent translation/language skills, with a very high level of competence in the target language /(or) in the language and culture being studied.

27-29 Above-average level. The candidate makes only minor errors, and shows a solid command of the required skills and competences.

24– 26 Generally sound level. The candidate displays a number of shortcomings, indicating a reasonable command of the required skills and competences.

21-23 Adequate level. The candidate displays significant shortcomings and only an adequate command of the required skills and competences.

18– 20 Minimum level. The candidate only meets the minimum level require d and shows a poor command of the required skills and competences.

< 18 Fail The candidate fails to meet the required standard and shows a seriously inadequate command of the required skills and competences. The candidate will have to retake the exam.

 

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

Classes will take place in a computer-equipped classroom with internet access.

All course materials will be made available on the Virtuale e-learning platform

Office hours

See the website of Melanie Frank