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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SPPO3420 Spanish-English Translation

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Prof Jeremy Munday
Email: J.Munday@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

In order to be admitted onto the module non-native speakers of English must either have obtained an overall score of 7 in IELTS or 600 in TOEFL (paper-based) or pass a short written translation test administered by the module co-ordinator

Pre-requisites

SPPO2010Practical Lang Skill Spanish 2
SPPO2011Pract Lang Skills in Spanish 2

Co-requisites

SPPO3010Practical Language Skills in Spanish 3

This module is mutually exclusive with

MODL3320Final Year Project: Translation
MODL3340Final Year Project: Extended Translation

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

This module will be taught through a mixture of lectures concerning translation theory, supported by VLE discussion boards and other activities, and practical seminars. By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to translate complex texts from Spanish to English, and less complex texts from English to Spanish, demonstrating full comprehension of the original, grammatical and lexical accuracy in the target language, and some aesthetic sensibility to the nuances of both languages and the contexts in which they are being used.

They will also be expected to be able to demonstrate the application of relevant theoretical and methodological knowledge to translation practice and, furthermore and to be able to reflect on the application of such theory/methodology through assessment work based on independent research.

This module is intended to prepare students for postgraduate study in the field of applied translation studies and for the use of translation-specific and transferable skills in professional life in general.

Tutors normally translate into their L1 (or language of habitual use) only. The texts for translation will pre-suppose that students are native or near-native speakers of English - texts to be translated into English will thus be more challenging than texts translated into Spanish.

Learning outcomes
With regard to the practical translation component of the module:
- Time management skills and tenacity;
- Group work (practiced in classroom situations and VLE discussion boards);
- Communication skills - oral: ability to contribute orally to discussions (in classroom situations);
- Communication skills - written: conveyance of accurate written information, either in terms of detail or in terms of gist;
- Problem solving and lateral thinking;
- Awareness of cultural issues and their potential untranslatability will promote better general socio-cultural awareness.

With regard to the essay writing/assessment work component of the module:
- Production of well-organised and logically structured essay/assessment work.
- Independent research and critical thought.

Skills outcomes
With regard to the practical translation component of the module:
- Time management skills and tenacity;
- Group work (practiced in classroom situations);
- Communication skills - oral: ability to contribute orally to discussions (in classroom situations);
- Communication skills - written: conveyance of accurate written information, either in terms of detail or in terms of gist;
- Problem solving and lateral thinking;
- Awareness of cultural issues and their potential untranslatability will promote better general socio-cultural awareness.

With regard to the essay writing/assessment work component of the module:
- Production of well-organised and logically structured essay/assessment work.
- Independent research and critical thought.


Syllabus

Theory lectures will link to essential and recommended readings. Lecture slides will be available through the VLE as will recordings of some of the lectures in advance of the sessions in order to facilitate discussion. This will be supplemented by selected texts for translation in both Spanish and English which illustrate the theoretical and methodological points discussed in the lecture.

Materials will stem from a variety of sources: literature, journalism, audio materials, websites, technical and financial texts, audiovisual texts and European Parliament interpreting. Note, that this is not an interpreting module: the end result, in all cases, is written rather than oral presentation.

Class time will also be devoted to the preparation of assessment work (to be submitted at the end of semester 1) to practice translations and to research skills.

Semester 1 will consist of 6 lectures plus small-group practical seminars. Semester 2 will consist entirely of small-group practical translation seminars.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture61.006.00
Seminar141.0014.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

50 hours - reading of materials concerning theory/methodology and/or viewing of pre-recorded lectures
80 hours - preparation of translations to be discussed in class (self monitored/tutor monitored)
30 hours - preparation of first assessment/research into theoretical and methodological issues
20 hours - preparation for take-home exam

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Prepared translations to be seen in class on a regular basis, student self-monitoring or peer-monitoring, including the use of VLE discussion board and wiki;
- Two translations per semester to be submitted for marking (for monitoring purposes only, not part of module assessment - feedback on progress to be provided to student);
- 1 x 750-word translation (Spanish to English) plus 500 words of theoretical footnotes OR 1 x 1,500 word essay, plus supporting material (texts under analysis) to illustrate a theoretical/methodological issue in Spanish <-> English translation, to be submitted at the end of Semester 1;
- progress monitoring as well as part of the formal assessment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
EssayEITHER (a) 750-word translation (Spanish to English) plus 500 words of theoretical footnotes OR Essay 1,500 word essay plus supporting material (texts under analysis) to illustrate a theoretical/methodological issue in Spanish<>English translation - to be submitted at the end of semester 135.00
AssignmentA 'take-home' examination: Two translations (1 Spanish>English [750 words]; 1 English>Spanish [500 words]) plus 1000 words of theoretical footnotes, - to be submitted at the end of semester 265.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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