69314 - Translation from German into Italian I (First Language)

Learning outcomes

The student - knows the tools (grammars, dictionaries and text corporations) and methods (analysis of the meaning of the source text and its transposition into the target text) of basic translation - is able to apply them in the translation of a variety of simple texts from German first language to Italian - is able to identify and apply the most appropriate basic translation strategies to the communicative/operational functions of the texts to be translated

Course contents

The course will be divided into two parts: passive translation (40 hours) in the first semester and active translation (40 hours) in the second semester.

As far as passive translation is concerned, the objective of the course will be to strengthen textual understanding and to limit translation interference as much as possible.

Particular attention will be given to the issues of text comprehension and interpretation, with exercises initially also intra-linguistic. Secondly, the focus will be on text analysis, communication functions and the translation strategy to be adopted. The main theoretical-translational and communicative problems will also be presented in the form of examples.

General texts and specialist texts of various types and increasing degrees of difficulty will be dealt with.

Students will be called upon to work almost always in groups, and to solve all problems collectively.

Readings/Bibliography

• Kautz, Ulrich (2002): Handbuch Didaktik des Übersetzens und Dolmetschens. München: Iudicium.
• Nord, Christiane (2009): Textanalyse und Übersetzen.Theoretische Grundlagen, Methode und didaktische Anwendung einer übersetzungsrelevanten Textanalyse. Heidelberg: Groos.
• Schreiber, Michael (2017): Grundlagen der Übersetzungswissenschaft: Französisch, Italienisch, Spanisch. Berlin: De Gruyter.
• Stolze, Radegundis (2011): Übersetzungstheorien. Eine Einführung.Tübingen: Narr.
• Eco, U., (2003) Dire quasi la stessa cosa, Milano, Bompiani
• Menin R., (1996 ) Teoria della traduzione e linguistica testuale, Milano, Guerini, (per uno studio specifico della coerenza discorsiva applicata alla traduzione)
• Beaugrande, Dressler, (1984) Introduzione alla linguistica testuale, Bologna, Mulino,
• Snell-Hornby, Mary et al.(2003) Handbuch Translation, Tübingen Stauffenburg-Verl.(parti da concordare col docente)

Teaching methods

As for the passive part of the course, the lessons will be of the seminar type with a strong orientation towards group work.

It will be possible to verify how translation is possible, starting from the first year of the course, on even challenging texts. To achieve this, most of the work must be done by the students in groups, each result must be the result of the work of the student (never of the teacher's suggestions). The teacher indicates what is wrong (in the method adopted, in the paraphrase, in the translation, etc.) and indicates the procedures to achieve the result without ever offering the solution.

Each week, a group text is prepared and the individual tests are corrected.

The following exercises will take place:

- READING AND PARAPHRASE TO THE IMPRESSAGE OF A DAILY ARTICLE IN ITALIAN (oral)

- THE DETAILED PARAPHRASE (written, text in language) that avoids all the linguistic choices of the original. (1st level of generality)

- THE VERTICAL PARAPHRASE (language text) of each text to be translated, with c.s. mode.

- STRICTLY WORKING TO COUPLES (both in class and at home) in the analysis of the text, in its interpretation, in its translation

- CORRECTION OF THE PARAPHRASE (before moving on to translation) without any suggestion of solutions. The teacher points out the parts to be improved

- GROUP AUTOCORRECTION (without suggestion of solutions by the teacher) and subsequent verification by the teacher

- PARAPHRASES TO BE REMADE IN THE UNSATISFACTORY PARTS

- TRANSLATION FROM THE PARAPHRASE

- THE SECOND VERSION OF YOUR TRANSLATION, AVOIDING ALL SOLUTIONS OF THE FIRST, even in the event of an acceptable translation

The example of the texts processed will deal with the theoretical-methodological elements of translation, problem solving, translator documentation, etc.

Assessment methods

As far as the passive translation part is concerned, the learning will be checked weekly on the test that the student will carry out in a group and that he will have to provide to the teacher. This test will be evaluated and then discussed in class. In this way the student will be able to constantly monitor their progress. Stress tests will also be carried out to experience real working conditions. A final test will be carried out before the final test.

The final test consists of translating a text of about 250 words for 90 minutes of time available. In all the individual, group and translation tests, students will be able to use the full range of documentary resources available.

The type of exam will be consistent with the types of text used during the course.

The evaluation of the test will be based on the objective of the course. In particular, they will be evaluated:

- the absence of linguistic interference

- the absence of lexical and syntactical casts that limit interpretation

- the ability to interpret the text correctly in a foreign language

- the ability to render the text level, with regard to consistency

- the ability to make the level of the text pragmatic and stylistic

Teaching tools

personal computer, video projector
internet, search engines
online resources: electronic dictionaries
paper resources: grammars
materials made available on the Dropbox platform.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Menin