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2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MODL5048M Public Service Interpreting

15 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Stefan Mikulin
Email: s.p.mikulin@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module will introduce the students to the skills and knowledge required for interpreting for the public services. This will include, but not be limited to, legal interpreting (criminal and civil law); medical interpreting; social services and citizens' and public services.

Objectives

The main objectives of this module are to build upon the students' liaison and consecutive interpreting skills while introducing simultaneous interpreting skills and the technical and contextual knowledge required of public service interpreters. The focus here will be on the development of specific techniques that support the effective target-language reconstruction in the various modes of interpreting used in the public service sector: consecutive, liaison and chucotage/whispered simultaneous interpreting. These techniques include effective preparation and rapid assimilation of technical knowledge about the topic of the assignment, deverbalisation, note-taking and code- and register-switching to meet the needs of a specific audience or client. In addition to these skills, the module develops basic awareness and understanding of concepts in medical and legal interpreting and the institutional structures in which it is used.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate an awareness of the professional and terminological requirements of public service interpreters;
- effectively research and prepare for assignments of a specialised and technical nature;
- proficiently take notes to support liaison and consecutive interpreting;
- interpret effectively in the liaison and consecutive modes;
interpret effectively in the chuchotage/whispered simultaneous mode.


Skills outcomes
Note-taking; chuchotage interpreting; code-switching and register-switching; professional comportment in PSI


Syllabus

Students will be introduced to the practical considerations of the public service interpreting market.
As a practical, hands-on module, students will be introduced to authentic materials from a range of recorded, live and written sources and engage in practical activities in which they will develop the skills introduced by the tutors. Regular, targeted and specific feedback will be provided by the tutor(s) in class for the students to further develop in their private study. Exercises will take the form of summaries, presentations, role-plays, sight translations and other, skill-relevant exercises.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Group learning182.0036.00
Practical162.0032.00
Private study hours82.00
Total Contact hours68.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Students will be required to prepare for each class by undertaking research using online and print sources – with regard to both interpreting theory and the specific subject areas covered (English law; medicine, immigration etc.).
Specific guidance will also be given to support and structure student-led group learning to build upon the practical, tutor-led work done in class.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

As the class is skills-based/performance-based, a week-by-week/class-by-class formative appraisal can be made by the tutor over the course of the in-class contact hours.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Oral PresentationInterpreting tasks in which the student is required to interpret bilaterally in both the liaison and chuchotage modes. The assessment will last 20-30 minutes in total.100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

The final assessment is in line with the current examination format for interpreting elements of the DPSI. Resits will be assessed by the same methods as the first attempt.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/04/2018

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