82010 - Translation and Revision Techinques (English and Italian) (CL2)

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, between English and Italian, meeting specific translation briefs and respecting the communicative functions of the source texts - knows and is able to use effectively, and in ways that are consistent with professional ethics, the techniques and tools used for editing and revision in the publishing sector

Course contents

Students will be asked to practice Translation and Revision techniques specifically applied in the field of the Publishing Industry. Texts will be analysed both from the point of view of content language/style and function. The module will stress the importance of translation, revision and editing processes in editorial translation.

Part of the lessons (20 hours) will be dedicated to translation techniques (Teacher Annalisa Crea) and part (20 hours) to revision techniques (Teacher Adele D'Arcangelo).
The lessons specifically dedicated to Translation Practice will introduce the concept of translation competences (theoretical, textual and intercultural). Students will be asked to address textual function and relative traslation strategies useful to produce good quality translation in the Italian language and publishing market/context.

The lessons specifically dedicated to Revision Theory and Practice will firstly introduce and critically illustrate definitions and acceptations of the term “revision” (both intended as process and product). Different revision modalities and procedures will be illustrated through examples, accounting for the needs arising from different textual genres, target readers, publisher’s requests.
After introducing the concept of revision competence and its constituents, the course will provide the students with adequate contents and tools to develop and apply the knowledge and skills needed by a competent reviser. Students will be encouraged to work on several translation editing and revision assignments, covering a wide spectrum of text types (same genres used for Tranlation techniques). Students will be asked to do revision work on their own translations (self-revision), on someone else’s translations (other-revision) and in collaborative mode.

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During the whole module students will be stimulated to pay attention to the crucial self-revision and revision steps in the translation process, necessary for the production of good quality translations aimed at a specific target reader.

Readings/Bibliography

Teachers will be using journalistic, literary and non fiction texts that will be made available on the Moodle e-learning platform:
- link for Translation Techiniques
will be provided when lessons start
- link for Revision Techniques
will be provided when lessons start
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During lessons based on more theoretical aspects the teachers will be using the following bibliographical references:

Basso, S. . 2010. Sul tradurre, esperienze e divagazioni militanti. Milano: Mondadori.
Bhatia, K.B. 1993. Analysing genre. London and New York: Longman.
Bocchiola M. 2015, Mai più come ti ho visto. Gli occhi del traduttore e il tempo. Torino: Einaudi
Bowker, L. and J. Pearson 2002. Working with the specialised language. London: Routledge.
Carmignani I. 2008. Gli autori invisibili. Lecce: Besa-Astrolabio.
Cavagnoli, F. 2012. La voce del testo. L’arte e il mestiere di tradurre. Milano: Feltrinelli.
Di Gregorio, A. 2014. Il Vademecum del traduttore. Roma: Società Editrice Dante Alighieri.
Eco, U. 2008. Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Milano: Bompiani.
Faini, P. 2004. T4radurre. Dalla teoria alla pratica. Roma: Carocci.
Nasi, F. 2001. (a cura di) Sulla traduzione letteraria. Figure del traduttore, studi sulla traduzione, modi del tradurre. Ravenna: Longo.
Mossop, B. 2007. Revising and Editing for Translators. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing.
Morini M. 2016. Tradurre l'inglese. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Sullivan, H., 2013. The work of revision, Harvard University Press.

Teaching methods

Attendance is compulsory (at least 70% of lessons need to be attended).
During labs students will be asked to read, analyze and contextualize texts before starting the translation and revision processes.
Translation, self-revision and revision exercises will be assigned as homework for indiviual or group practice (to enhance personal competences and collaborative practice).
Evaluation methods:
- self-revision,
- peer revision
- teacher's' revision.
Translation and revision techniques will be discussed from the point of view of strategies to be applied and quality to be produced.
All students will be asked to participate to collective discussion, which will be a fundamental method to strenghten students' consciousness regarding both their competences and professional ethics elements.
Lessons will be both practical and theoretical in order to make students aware of editorial strategies and practice applied in the publishing industry to produce good quality 'translation' aimed at a specific target readership (market).

Assessment methods

During the course students wil be asked to give in translation and revision works that will be corrected both individually and collectively
To be assessed students will have to produce two assignements for each of which they will be given 15 days time :
- a commented translation from English into Italian of a text (similar to those analyzed in class) of about 600 words, according to specific given instructions.
- an analysis of a translation, considering possible amendments for a revision, according to specific given instructions (translation length about 600 words).
The assignment will be given on a specific date and students will have two weeks to give in their works via email (or on moodle).
The grade for this module is determined by an average of both assignments (weight: 50% translation assignment, 50% revision assignment).
The final grade of the integrated course Translation Theory and Practice, is determined by an avarage of both components (weight 50% Translation Theory, 50% Translation and Revision Techiniques)

Grading scale

30-30L: Excellent level. The candidate possesses excellent translation skills, with a very high level of competence in the target language.

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: Minim level. The candidate only meets the minimum level required and shows a minimal command of the required skills and competences.

< 18 Fail: The candidate does not meet the required standard and shows a wholly inadequate command of the required skills and competences.

Teaching tools

Moodle e-learning platform, online research resources, online dictionaries and terminological database (if/when useful)

Office hours

See the website of Adele D'Arcangelo

See the website of Annalisa Crea