2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MODL5019M Introduction to Legal Translation

15 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Hanem El-Farahaty
Email: h.el-farahaty@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module combines theory and practice through allowing students to translate different text types, determine the translation strategies and techniques for translating between asymmetric legal systems. By giving students an opportunity to develop a specialized area of translation expertise, this module will be useful for those wishing to go on to work as professional legal translators. It will also help the students develop their research skills through writing a report and critically comment on their translation.

Objectives

This module enables students to build an in-depth understanding of the theoretical background and common challenges of legal translation. They will build a clear understanding of the main linguistic and stylistic features of English legal texts and figure out the complexity and difficulty of translating these texts into their own language (s). Bearing in mind linguistic, cultural differences as well as asymmetric legal systems and in light of the institutional guidelines, the function of the text, the readership/audience, and the medium of publication/delivery, the students will decide what appropriate translation strategies and techniques for translating these texts. By so doing, students will develop ability to work in in professional settings, enhance their decision-making, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. So the focus will be on translation challenges and techniques of dealing with them as well as on software and tools/resources available to assist in the decision-making.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
LO1 show understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of legal translation;
LO2 show ability to identify the linguistic and stylistic features of different English legal texts;
LO3 ability to identify the difficult linguistic, culture-specific and system-bound areas of legal translation;
LO4 ability to determine the strategies and techniques for the translation of these areas;
LO5 ability to analyse parallel legal texts (between English and other languages) and critically comment on the strategies of translating them.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SO1 ability to work in professional settings and with professional genres
SO2. decision-making and problem-solving skills
SO3. critical-thinking skills

Syllabus

The following are indicative topics that will be covered in this module: Theoretical background of legal translation; Legal text types and features of English legal texts; Common difficulties of legal translation with specific reference to English legal texts; Context, translation brief, institutional/client guidelines, purpose of translation and strategies/techniques of legal translation; Translation of leases, certificates, wills and deeds; Translation of contracts and statutes; Translation of judicial texts

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	2	2.00	4.00
Seminar	8	2.00	16.00
Private study hours			130.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided regularly during through translation assignments during weekly seminars, through designated feedback sessions (one per semester) and through personal tutee appointments

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	1,800-2,000 word report and reflective commentary	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

One formative assessment to be released at the beginning of the semester and submitted midway through the module for feedback.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/05/2024

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