GER40260 Translation German-English

Academic Year 2022/2023

Translation is everywhere in our plurilingual, transnational and globalized society, functioning as a mediation between different cultures, and thereby constituting more than a purely linguistic act.
This module trains participants in the practice and craft of translation from German into English, focussing on both process and product, while introducing the theory of translation. This entails studying the cognitive approach, translational methodologies and strategies, and developing the practical and linguistic skills (e.g. critical analysis, close reading, stylistic awareness, problem-solving) required to translate a range of German texts.
Advanced comprehension of written German alongside sophisticated, (near-)native competence in written English are essential.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

- Produce fluent and idiomatic translations from a range of complex and specialised German-language texts;
- Explain some of the theoretical issues in Translation Studies and apply these to the translation process;
- Analyse the source text in order to better comprehend it semantically and stylistically;
- Benefit from productive peer-collaboration;
- Work critically with dictionaries and online materials;
- Subtitle short audiovisual excerpts;
- Comment on and post-edit existing translations.

Indicative Module Content:

The module looks at three different text-types:
Weeks 1-3: Current affairs
Week 4-7: Commercial or consumer-oriented texts
Weeks 9-12: Cultural and literary texts including subtitling of short video excerpts

Class activities include collaboration on different translations, explanations of and exercises practising certain grammatical points and stylistic issues (e.g. reported speech, nominalisation, collocation, modal particles, dictionary work), as well as the introduction via short lectures to some basic concepts of translation theory. There will also be talks from a professional translator to give an insight into translation as a career.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Specified Learning Activities

80
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The classes largely follow a workshop-style model structured around task-based learning, individual and pair work, and peer-review. Discussion boards or Google docs will be used a way of sharing and peer-reviewing translations or exercises carried out during class - some of which will be done individually, others collaboratively.
A few classes will consist of short lecture-type presentations (to introduce translation theory, different grammatical and stylistic points).

Weekly formative homework is integral to the module and homework submitted on time will be given individual feedback. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Class Test: In-person test in the second class of week 7.
Translation into English of unseen text, and post-editing (i.e. correcting) of a translation of another text.		 Week 7 n/a Graded No

14
Examination: 2-hour written (in-person) exam: 2 passages (choice of 3) to be translated. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

45
Project: Subtitling homework of short video using specified software, with accompanying commentary on translation strategies employed Week 11 n/a Graded No

25
Continuous Assessment: 2 designated homework exercises during weeks 2-6 Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

16

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Regular formative homework exercises submitted on time via Brightspace will get individual feedback. Students will also compare and peer review translations done in class. All assessed pieces of work are graded according to rubrics that equally weight comprehension and transfer of the original (German) and expression in the target language (English). The structure of the project may be submitted in advance in order to get feedback.

Highly recommended as an entertaining introduction to the art of translation:

David Bellos, Is that a Fish in your Ear? The amazing adventure of translation (London: Penguin, 2012)

The titles of other relevant works in translation studies will be supplied.