2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM3092 Advanced Translation from German into English

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Anne Buckley
Email: a.buckley@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of GERM2010/2011 (or equivalent level of German to CEFR C1)

This module is mutually exclusive with

GERM3090	Advanced Translation from German into English
GERM3091	Advanced Translation from German into English

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is about the process, purpose and practice of translation and requires you to reflect on the nature of translation in general as well as specific translation tasks. You will be asked to identify the characteristic features of a particular text or text type (e.g. journalistic, consumer-oriented, technical and literary) and to formulate and put into practice appropriate strategies for reproducing the meaning and effect of the text in your own language and cultural context. Weekly translations (individual or paired) may require meetings (face to face and virtual) outside class time and a great deal of research and preparation is expected of you. While assessment is individual, the learning process places great emphasis on discussion and sharing ideas. Discussion groups are normally mixed, with native speakers of German and English helping each other to produce the most effective translation. The translation direction is into English and your level of English (punctuation, standard grammar, vocabulary, register) is as important as your comprehension of German.

Objectives

This module is about the process, purpose and practice of translation and requires you to reflect on the nature of translation in general as well as specific translation tasks. You will be asked to identify the characteristic features of a particular text or text type (eg journalistic, consumer-oriented, technical and literary) and to formulate and put into practice appropriate strategies for reproducing the meaning and effect of the text in your own language and cultural context. You will be required to produce effective, accurate and appropriate translations of a range of text types.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this module you will have a greater understanding of the issues involved in translation (linguistic, cultural, ethical) and will be able to identify the purpose and function of texts in both SL and TL culture in order to formulate an effective translation strategy. Your comprehension and use of both English and German will improve and you will gain greater awareness of the linguistic conventions of the text types studied.

Skills outcomes
- Translation German-English skills
- English writing skills
- German vocabulary, syntax and register
- Research skills
- Use of online and other resources to support translation
- Intercultural skills
- Textual analysis.

Syllabus

General issues in translation will be introduced and practised through weekly translation and research and reading tasks, which may be in groups or individual, online or face to face. You will receive a number of lectures over the course of the year that introduce you to aspects of translation theory in order to prepare you for reflection on your own translation work and for the assessed commentary exercise. Characteristics and approaches for specific text types (e.g journalistic, literary, instructional, administrative, technical/scientific) will be discussed, practised and assessed.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	20	1.50	30.00
Private study hours			165.00
Total Contact hours			35.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are expected to research the characteristics and function in both source and target language and culture of the text types under consideration and research the topic areas of the texts set, to engage with translation theory and to write translation notes for each text submitted. They will work on translations individually and in groups of varying sizes, using wikis where appropriate, and will be expected to engage fully with the issues involved in professional translation. They will use online resources including dictionaries and parallel texts as well as publications in the field of translation studies in order to develop their skills and knowledge and achieve the required standards.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will submit one translation for each text type, for which feedback will be given in advance of the assessment. They will also be required to submit versions of at least one text p.a. for class discussion and feedback. Students will be given guidance on how to approach the commentary before being required to submit an assessed commentary to accompany the longer translation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Extended Translation (650 words) and commentary (1,000 words)	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	48 hr 00 mins	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

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: 29/04/2024 16:14:45

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