69550 - Translation from English into Italian II (First Language) (CL1)

Learning outcomes

Students know the basic tools (grammar books, dictionaries and corpora) and basic translation methods (for the analysis of a source text and its transfer into a target text). S/he is able to apply these instruments and methods to the task of translating a variety of simple texts from and into English. S/he is able to identify and use the most adequate basic translation strategies, depending on the communicative functions of the texts to be translated.

Course contents

Students will be shown how to approach a variety of texts, mainly from the popular science and semi-technical fields. In a preliminary phase, students will be asked to discuss different strategies to be applied to every single text or problem based on the theories they have learned during previous translation courses. More specifically, all texts will be analyzed from different perspectives, such as genre, function, content and language/style, as well as the best book-format and/or online resources to solve possible terminological problems.

Readings/Bibliography

The following texts will be used during the course either for self-study or classroom discussion:

Munday Jeremy, 2016. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and applications (3^rd edition), London and New York: Routledge.

Venuti Lawrence, 2021. The Translation Studies Reader (4^th edition), London and New York: Routledge.

Additional bibliographical references might be made available on the Virtuale e-learning platform.

Teaching methods

Lessons will focus mainly on individual and collective, peer-review practice. Students will be asked to discuss their ideas and difficulties as well as to turn in possible assignments that will be used for feedback lessons.

Students will translate texts either individually or in class as group assignments. Depending on the text type, texts will be either corrected in class or returned to students with individual feedback by the teacher.

Texts to be translated will be made available on the e-platform Virtuale.

 

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 exam will consist of a translation test. Students will have two hours to translate a text (for a total of about 400 words) from English into Italian. The text will be similar to those analyzed during the course. Students will be allowed to use dictionaries and other material.

At mid-course, students will also be asked to take a mock exam whose result will not count towards the final assessment. During the mock test and final exam students will be allowed to use dictionaries and other resources. The ENG>ITA translation is a module of the integrated course for which students will take a separate ITA>ENG translation module. The final grade is determined by an average of both components (weight: 50% ENG>ITA translation, 50% ITA>ENG translation).

Marks

30-30L: Excellent level. The candidate possesses excellent translation, 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

Texts to be translated will be made available in advance on Virtuale and it will be the students’ responsibility to bring them to class in the format they are more comfortable with. During labs and if/when necessary teachers will be using online dictionaries as well as the Internet to do research.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Bucaria