87918 - B Language - Specialized Interpreting - English Language (CL1)

Course contents

SPECIALISED INTERPRETING - ENGLISH LANGUAGE is a module within the ENGLISH><ITALIAN INTERPRETING II for students with English as their first foreign language, and the ENGLISH>ITALIAN INTERPRETING II for students with English as their second foreign language. The module focuses on one 'macro-topic': LAW. Students will work to and from English and Italian. During the module their knowledge on this topic as well as their technical and practical interpreting skills are expected to improve and strengthen. Within the LAW general topic, more specific topics will be dealt with such as patents, US depositions, migration and contracts. All the sub-topics will be dealt with from a legal point of view.

The main objective of this module is to ensure that students reach a high level of professionalism. As part of this objective, punctuality will be considered paramount and the final grade will take this factor into account.

Readings/Bibliography

Riley, Alison (2018) “Legal English and the Common Law”, Wolters Kluwer/CEDAM

Bersani Berselli, Mack, Gabriele e Zorzi, Daniela (a cura di) (2004), Linguistica e interpretazione, CLUEB, Biblioteca della SSLMIT, Forlì.

Pöchhacker, Franz (2003) Introducing Interpreting Studies, London/New York, Routledge.

Interpretazione simultanea e consecutiva – Problemi teorici e metodologie didattiche(1999), a cura di Falbo Caterina, Russo Maria Chiara e Straniero Sergio Francesco, Milano, Hoepli.

Articles on the macro-topic from quality newspapers and magazines published in English and Italian. Listening to TV programmes in English and Italian on the various topics dealt with during the course.

Teaching methods

Exercises in class and in the booths using audio and video files of real speeches on the topics in question in order to develop and refine students' skills on the macro-topic further.  

Assessment methods

Exam: a speech to be interpreted simultaneously (about 12 minutes) at the end of the module.

The exam will take place online due to the epidemiological emergency from covid-19.

Exams will be assessed on the basis of a detailed matrix to evaluate Content (logical flow of the speech, accuracy, completeness, pragmatic and rhetorical aspects), Target Language (grammar, syntax, lexicon, presentation) and Management and Technique (general handling of the speech, handling of difficulties, use of microphone).

Marks are assigned as follows: Insufficient (0-17): unreliable content: poor coherence, many mistakes, distortions, additions and/or omissions of important elements; target language unclear: grammar/syntactical/lexicon/pronunciation mistakes impairing comprehension. Sufficient (18-20): content is not always reliable: some mistakes, omissions, additions and/or inconsistencies; target language is not always clear: sometimes grammar/syntactical/lexicon/pronunciation mistakes impair comprehension. Fair (21-24) reliable content in spite of inaccuracies, generalisations, additions and/or omissions; target language is understandable in spite of some mistakes/flaws in terms of grammar, syntax, lexicon and pronunciation. Good (25-27): reliable content, fundamentally coherent and correct, few inaccuracies; target language is understandable: accurate grammar and syntax, good lexicon and voice. Excellent (28-30): very reliable content: coherent, accurate and complete; target language is very clear and understandable: correct grammar and syntax, excellent lexicon and pronunciation.

Teaching tools

Audio and video files with real speeches on the topics dealt with during the course. 

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Cortucci