82015 - Translation for the Publishing Industry (French)

Learning outcomes

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

Course contents

The course focuses on the following aspects:

- contrastive analysis of the French and Italian publishing industries (in particular, market principles and literary prizes and awards);

- the role of the translator and translation in the publishing industry;

- translation grants in different countries;

- how to draw up a translation project;

- the translation contract;

- revision and editing processes.

During lessons, different text types will be analysed, in particular children’s literature books, non-fiction texts (literature and humanities) and fiction (novels). Particular attention will be paid to translational issues related to these text types and to revision methods and techniques. Students will be asked to produce translations that will be assessed collectively in class in order to identify ‘the best’ translation strategies.

Readings/Bibliography

Antoine Berman, La traduction et la lettre ou l'auberge du lointain, Paris, Seuil, 1999.

Rosa Maria Bollettieri Bosinelli, Elena di Giovanni (a cura di), Oltre l'Occidente: traduzione e alterità culturale, Milano, Bompiani, 2009.

Chiara Elefante, Traduzione e paratesto, Bologna, BUP, 2012.

Pilar Godayol, Spazi di frontiera: genere e traduzione, Bari, Palomar, 2002.

Teaching methods

The course will alternate modules in which the various stages in literary translation work will be analysed (choice of a text to be proposed, the drafting of a proposal, seeking translation grants, the documentation and the subsequent revision work, etc. ) and classes in which texts will be translated and various strategies and translation proposals compared critically. Students will undertake a substantial individual translation, including self-review and revision by other translators.

Extensive use will be made of the Moodle platform, so that students can check revisions suggested by the teacher and discuss these in class. Students must attend a minimum of 70% of the class lessons.

For students requiring additional support in French language, a personalised tutoring service will be available that can be booked at: http://corsi.unibo.it/2Cycle/SpecializedTranslation/Pages/tutors-for-ma-in-specialized-translation.aspx

Assessment methods

Assessment includes submission of an agreed translation exercise. The translation will be done at home, following a model presented during lessons.

In particular, students will be asked to choose a text which has not yet been translated into Italian and which could be of interest to the Italian publishing industry.

The translation project should be structured as follows:

- text synopsis and presentation, approximately 2 pages (2000 characters per page including spaces);

- translation, 4 pages (2000 characters per page including spaces);

- the scanned source text.

The translation project will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. proposal presentation and style;

2. actual suitability of the translation for the publishing market;

3. translation quality.

Teaching tools

Computer with projector and Internet access

CD-ROM and online dictionariesPrinted dictionaries

Moodle e-learning site

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Elefante