2014/15 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
MODL5000M Computer-Assisted Translation
45 creditsClass Size: 80
Module manager: Dr Dragos Ciobanu
Email: d.i.ciobanu@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2014/15
This module is mutually exclusive with
| MODL5005M | Computers and the Translator |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- describe critically the state of the art in computer assisted translation (CAT)
- be aware of and have experience of translation and localisation project workflows and processes
- use a range of commercial CAT tools in the practical tasks of terminology management, translation of documentation, software localisation and project management
- export and import translations and terminology between different applications
- evaluate the relative merits of different tools
- set up environments for working with different alphabets and other writing systems, where relevant, e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese
- participate in and coordinate multilingual translation projects
- locate and exploit translation resources available on the Internet
- design and advise on appropriate production methods for internationalised websites.
Learning outcomes
- advanced understanding of appropriate use of the terminology, translation memory and project management features, and where appropriate, the localisation features, of a range of at least 5 industry-standard CAT tools (these may change from year to year to reflect market use)
Skills outcomes
Translating, revising and editing content using CAT tools
- Managing multilingual translation projects
- Researching and sharing advanced functionalities of CAT tools
- Researching rates and profit margins, and subsequently Quoting and Invoicing for multilingual translation projects
- Researching, storing and retrieving terminology effectively
- (for students who act as Project Managers): Presentation skills
- File management
- Importing and exporting content using a range of CAT tools
- Effective working practices with other translators, terminologists, project managers and clients.
Syllabus
Few professional translators and translation and localisation project managers nowadays work in isolation; most communicate with clients and colleagues via the Internet. They are expected to make effective use of specialised tools to enhance their productivity, share data and manage project teams distributed around the world.
By engaging you with a variety of computer-assisted translation tools, this module allows you to develop not only practical expertise but also a critical faculty for evaluating their relative merits. The module also features team projects inspired by our long-term collaborations with industry partners. These projects enable our students to fine-tune the full range of essential professional skills acquired throughout the module, including pricing; quoting; dealing efficiently with content in a variety of alphabets and file formats using some of the latest CAT tools; proofreading and reviewing; exchanging resources; finalising projects; invoicing, and performing project analyses.
You will have exposure to state-of-the-art applications widely used in the language industries for terminology management, translation of documentation and content in a variety of file formats, software localisation and project management. Moreover, you will develop transferable skills so that you can cope with new or updated tools. The module assessment focuses on a critical appraisal of the usefulness and usability of the tools, and includes an important element of working effectively in multilingual translation and localisation teams.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Group learning | 4 | 10.00 | 40.00 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Practical | 20 | 3.00 | 60.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 185.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 145.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 120.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 450.00 | ||
Private study
- Completing exercises distributed in class; preparation for team projects;- Completion of team project translations, self and peer monitoring & project management tasks;
- Research and completion of training tasks online using the module's interactive tools.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- 'Challenge of the Week' tasks and discussions- In-class weekly exercises focusing on Project Management and CAT tools workflows, processes, and technical details
- Continuous interaction through the module virtual learning environment area
- One formatively assessed team project with feedback from project clients and project managers (including feedback on a final project presentation)
- Three summatively assessed team projects with feedback from project clients and project managers (including feedback on project presentations)
- Feedback from the final essay
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 3,000 words | 40.00 |
| Group Project | group project | 20.00 |
| Group Project | group project | 20.00 |
| Group Project | group project | 20.00 |
| 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 websiteLast updated: 24/03/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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