2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GERM3091 Advanced Translation from German into English

10 creditsClass Size: 25

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Native speaker of German, completion of translations modules at home Universities or demonstration of translation competence.

This module is mutually exclusive with

GERM3092

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.As the assessment is by a single extended translation it is essential that the candidates have translation competence and experience.

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 (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. 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 practiced 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. The characteristics and approaches to specific text types (e.g journalistic, literary, instructional, administrative, technical/scientific) will be discussed and practiced and assessed in preparation for the extended translation with commentary, which forms the assessment of this module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	2	1.00	2.00
Seminar	10	1.50	15.00
Private study hours			83.00
Total Contact hours			17.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

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 which feedback will be given in advance of the assessment. Students will also discuss the extended translation exercise with the tutor in order to identify and problems and clarify expectations and marking criteria.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Extended Translation (650 words) and commentary (1,000 words)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Alternative assessment or resit available only if advised by Exam board in the light of evidence submitted in mitigation.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 24/05/2024

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