2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SPPO2581 Translation Theory and Practice in a Spanish - English Context

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Roberto Rodríguez Saona
Email: r.rodriguez@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of either SPPO1010

Pre-requisites

SPPO1010

Pract Lang Skills in Spanish 1

This module is mutually exclusive with

SPPO2580

Translation Theory and Practice in a Spanish-English Context

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to introduce students to some of the key concepts of translation from a mainly linguistic perspective, relating to translation between Spanish and English. It will be taught through a mixture of lectures concerning translation theory, supported by VLE discussion boards and other activities, and practical seminars. The initial focus will be on text analysis of Spanish source texts, contrasted to English texts of the same genre. Then, some of the main translation strategies will be introduced and practised in practical translation tasks associated with a variety of text types and genre. The metalanguage of translation evaluation (e.g. borrowing, calque, literal translation, modulation, adaptation, compensation, explicitation, standardization, etc.) will be introduced to discuss the translation strategies that are most appropriate for specific translation situations and purposes. Students will practise practical translation and a reflexive commentary on their work. The main text types studied will be tourist brochures, advertising and educational texts. In the second semester, students will work on analysing and producing subtitles for Spanish-language films, considering the constraints specific to that form of translation. Outside the lectures, students will be expected to study relevant readings and to work on the analysis of texts selected by the lecturer and by themselves.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of key terms and concepts used in text analysis for translation
- have shown the ability to apply these concepts to a detailed and critical analysis of general and semi-specialized texts in Spanish and English
- have satisfactorily explored contrastive analysis of relevant linguistic features of English and Spanish using online resources
- have applied this knowledge and skills to assist their translations of general and semi-specialized texts from Spanish into English
- have demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of basic techniques of subtitling
- have developed analytical, evaluation and revision skills that are transferable to other modules in their programme and to future employment.

Learning outcomes
Students are expected to consolidate the cognitive and practical skills acquired in Level 1, and in addition to demonstrate:
1. a sound knowledge and effective understanding of the main principles and models of translation-based text analysis required to analyse and translate a variety of texts from Spanish into English
2. a sound knowledge and effective understanding of the structures, registers and varieties of Spanish and English encountered in the texts, where appropriate using online resources
3. analytical, evaluation and revision skills, transferable to other modules in their programme and to future employment
4. effective and appropriate analytical, research and essay skills

Skills outcomes
Students are expected to consolidate the cognitive and practical skills acquired in Level 1, and in addition to demonstrate:
1. a sound knowledge and effective understanding of the main principles and models of translation-based text analysis required to analyse and translate a variety of texts from Spanish into English
2. a sound knowledge and effective understanding of the structures, registers and varieties of Spanish and English encountered in the texts, where appropriate using online resources
3. analytical, evaluation and revision skills, transferable to other modules in their programme and to future employment
4. effective and appropriate analytical, research and essay skills

Syllabus

Session 1: Introduction to text/Register analysis
Session 2: Seminars - Translation practice 1
Session 3: Text analysis for translation
Session 4: Seminars - Translation practice 2
Session 5: Resources for translators
Session 6: Seminars - Translation practice 3
Session 7: Metalanguage of translation and translation specifications
Session 8: Seminars - Translation practice 4
Session 9: Translation practice 5, and the translation commentary
Session 10: Seminars - Translation practice 6
Session 11: Feedback week lecture
Session 12: Techniques of multimodal transcription
Session 13: Seminars - Subtitling practice 1
Session 14: Techniques of subtitling
Session 15: Seminars - Subtitling practice 2
Session 16: Subtitling practice 3

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Seminar	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			134.00
Total Contact hours			16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

- Preparation for lectures: 5 hours for 8 weeks = 40 hours
- Preparation for seminars: 5 hours for 7 weeks = 35 hours
- Preparation for and writing a 400 word translation and translation commentary: 30 hours
- Preparation for and writing the subtitling task or a 1,500 word audiovisual translation essay: 30 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Feedback will be provided after assignment 1 (translation/commentary) that will be useful for assignment 2 (audiovisual translation).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Written Work	Translation (400 words) + 1000 word translation commentary (including text analysis)	50.00
Written Work	EITHER 1 x transcription and written subtitles plus 750 word commentary OR 1 x 1,500 word essay on audiovisual translation	50.00
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: 29/04/2024 16:20:42

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