89908 - Translation - English 2 (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. Lectures will provide an overview of scholarly research on translation, from a theoretical, methodological and applied point of view. The students are expected to become expert in the translation, from English into Italian and from Italian into English, of different text-types, both specialized and semi-specialized, in particular in the fields of tourism and business/institutional advertising, and become aware of the problems encountered and the strategies employed, especially to deal with issues arising from cultural differences and language for specific purposes. They are made familiar with the professional task of the translator, the role of the client and the purpose/function of a translation. They are also made aware of the tools and techniques of new technologies in translation research and practice. Language classes aim at improving students linguistic competence; over the two year period students knowledge of English 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

The course is for students of the II level degree course in “Language, Society and Communication” (LSC). It will be offered in the second semester (all semester).

Course contents: Translation Studies - Theory and Practice

The course combines a theoretical and a practical approach to translation, focusing on translation from English into Italian and vice versa. On the one hand, the course will illustrate key theories in Translation Studies, as well as different approaches to translation as a practice and an academic discipline. On the other hand, students will be asked to analyse and translate short authentic texts representative of a wide range of genres (e.g. mission statements, sustainability reports, tourist brochures, museum websites and press releases) from two domains, i.e. businesses/corporate organizations and museums/cultural institutions.

Theoretical issues and translation approaches will be discussed in relation to the practical task of translating, by focusing on both the process and the final product. In translating and revising texts, special attention will be paid to the key steps of translation practice by starting from the analysis of the context, genre and discourse features of the source text.

Furthermore, an overview of the latest advances in translation technologies will be offered: examples of documentation techniques will be described, such as how to refine web searches or how to construct and consult a corpus of texts in order to handle translation problems. This overview is meant to provide basic tools and technical skills which are essential in a professional context.

At the end of the course, students will be expected to be familiar with translation methods, and to be able to apply them to the task of translating a variety of texts with different communicative functions. The course will also aim at making students aware of the importance of the cultural context in which texts are embedded and on the crucial role played by the translator.

A full course outline will be provided in class at the beginning of the semester.

The course will also include language classes (Esercitazioni).

NOTE: Students are required to have a high level of language competence (reading and writing skills) in both English and Italian in order to be able to successfully complete the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Main coursebook:

Hatim, Basil & Jeremy Munday (2019), Translation: An Advanced Resource Book, 2nd edition, London/New York: Routledge Applied Linguistics.

Further required reading:

Malone, Joseph L. (1988), The Science of Linguistics in the Art of Translation: Some Tools from Linguistics for the Analysis and Practice of Translation, Albany: State University of New York. (for the comment on translation strategies).

Venuti, Lawrence (2000), The Translation Studies Reader, London/New York: Routledge (selected chapters).

Nord, Christiane (2018), Translating as a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approaches Explained, 2nd Edition, London/New York: Routledge (selected chapters).

Further bibliographical information will be provided during the course, according to the activities carried out in class. Students will be provided with a list of brief articles/chapters through which they will be able to explore selected aspects related to the course. A list of recommended dictionaries will also be offered.

The texts for translation practice will be made available online in advance: it will be the students’ responsibility to bring them to class in the format they are more comfortable with.

Finally, all students who regularly attend the lectures will be able to access a selection of the class PPTs online.

As regards the language component (Esercitazioni), a ‘dispensa' will be available from the copy centres in via Cartoleria and online, by the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Official course (Translation Studies):

The course (6 hours a week, all II semester) will include:

• lectures introducing tools and key theoretical notions;
• study of course texts and other individual/group activities (e.g. translation/text analysis);
• practical sessions involving translation tasks and discussion of translation problems and strategies.

Active class participation is strongly encouraged.

In particular, the practical sessions offer a good opportunity to focus on translation problems, look for diverse solutions and discuss the effects of different translation choices, as well as to apply the theoretical notions illustrated in class. Hands-on activities will involve translation and text analysis exercises (carried out individually or in small groups), the correction of and reflection on translations to focus on diverse possible problem-solving strategies, and post-translation revision activities (peer review).

Language component (Esercitazioni):

The course will include 36 hours of language classes (Esercitazioni), which will be held by Dr. Nigel James.

Language classes aim at the acquisition of communicative language skills through various activities. The main focus is on the translation, from Italian into English, of a wide variety of text-types. Principal text-types include: tourism-related texts, technical brochures, promotional material, and abstracts of articles related to translation and new technologies.

Assessment methods

Official course (Translation Studies):

Assessment is by written examination. The exam is divided into three parts:

• questions regarding translation theories;
• a translation task from English into Italian;
• a translation commentary and text analysis.

The three parts of the exam must be taken in the same “appello”. In the first part, students are expected to show familiarity with the key translation theories discussed during the course. In the second and third parts, students are required to analyse and translate a short text (300-350 words), using paper dictionaries only. The domain and the genre of the text to be translated will be among those dealt with during the course.

Language component (Esercitazioni):

In addition, there will be a written exam on the language component of the course (Esercitazioni). This exam will be a practical translation, from Italian into English, of approximately 250 words. There will be one translation offered and it will be of a type similar to the text-types offered during the course. Time allowed to perform the task is 90 minutes. The use of monolingual and bilingual dictionaries is permitted. A Facsimile will be available online at the beginning of lessons.

The two written exams can be taken in any order and it is not obligatory to take/pass both exams in the same exam session.

The exam is the same for attendees and non-attendees.

Marking criteria

Official course (Translation Studies):

Assessment is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they understand key issues related to translation theory and practice and are able to make informed translation decisions and justify the choices made.

Evaluation of the first and third part of the exam will be based on several factors, including critical understanding of the main theories of Translation Studies, knowledge of the English language, good writing skills in English, familiarity with genre conventions, as well as the ability to discuss strategies to solve translation problems with limited resources available (i.e. paper dictionaries).

As far as the translation task is concerned, translation quality will be assessed by assigning a severity level to errors in students’ translations. One point will be subtracted for major errors (concerning meaning, spelling, grammar and syntax), while half a point will be subtracted for each minor error (concerning vocabulary, register, style and coherence). Major errors are those which tend to mislead the reader by providing incorrect or contradictory information, while minor errors include those that might make the translation harder to read and understand but do not significantly affect text comprehension. Bonus points will be assigned for particularly effective translation solutions.

Language component (Esercitazioni):

In order to obtain a good pass mark, students must: focus attention on the source message in both linguistic/stylistic features and subject matter; bring the target text closer to the target reader whilst adhering as closely as possible to the linguistic elements of the source text. Lexico-grammatical accuracy is of major importance. Papers will be assessed on the basis of language requirements at the C2 level of the Common European Framework.

The final mark is calculated as follows: the score obtained in the Translation Studies exam (2/3 of the mark) will be added to the score obtained in the language component exam (1/3 of the mark) in order to obtain a final average mark in the course.

Students cannot refuse a passing mark (a score of at least 18/30) in any of the single (partial) exams taken. Only the final average mark itself can be refused, obliging the student in that case to take each single exam again. Marks obtained remain valid for 4 exam sessions only, including the sessions they were taken in.

The exams take place twice in each exam session.

Teaching tools

Lectures will make use of Power Point presentations. Texts to be analysed/translated will be presented in digital or printed format. Online dictionaries and other digital resources may be used during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Bartolini