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2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MODL5210M Introduction to Computer-Assisted Translation

15 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Callum Walker
Email: c.m.walker@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Module replaces

MODL5000M Computer-Assisted Translation and Localisation Project Management

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Few professional translators and translation project managers nowadays work in isolation; they are also now expected to make effective use of specialist tools to enhance their productivity, share data and manage project teams distributed around the world. By engaging 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 merits. The module also features one cross-programme formative team project inspired by our long-term collaborations with industry partners. This project enables 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 languages and file formats using some of the latest CAT tools; editing and post-editing; exchanging resources; finalising projects; invoicing, and performing project analyses. You will have access 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, and project management. Moreover, you will develop transferable skills so that you can cope with new or updated tools.

Objectives

This module aims to furnish students with an understanding of appropriate use of the translation, terminology, translation memory and project management features of at least 2 widely-used, industry-standard CAT tools (the specific tools taught change from year to year to reflect market use).
Students will acquire both theoretical and practical expertise, drawing on research in translation technology and current professional practices in the industry, and will have a mixture of combined lectures and demonstrations and practical sessions to develop their translation technology competences. These competences culminate in a group translation project in the final weeks of the module, offering an opportunity for formative feedback on a number of professional deliverables (translations, revisions, quotations, invoices, email communications, etc.), as well as a source of experimentation and testing for the summative case study.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Use, in a professional context, a variety of different computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to manage terminology, translate documentation of various types, and manage projects;2. Describe critically the state of the art in computer-assisted translation (CAT) and evaluate the relative merits of different tools;
3. Implement industry-standard translation project workflows and processes, and participate in and/or coordinate multilingual translation projects;
4. Locate and exploit translation resources available on the Internet;
5. Understand how to design and evaluate professionally-oriented documentation such as offers of services, quotations, and invoices, and understand how translation projects are priced on the market.

Skills outcomes
- Translation, editing and post-editing of content using CAT tools;
- Practical management of multilingual translation projects;
- Researching and sharing advanced functionalities of CAT tools;
- Researching rates and profit margins, and quoting and invoicing for multilingual translation projects.


Syllabus

In this module, you will engage in translation, editing and post-editing of various content types using a number of specialised computer-assisted translation tools. The module is aimed at developing fundamental practical expertise in the use of these industry-standard tools, and offers a variety of forums and exercises in which to apply and practice the skills developed over the module.
Classes will take the form of short demonstrations and discussions of key software features, accompanied by dedicated practical tasks to practice the use of relevant software to aid the translation process. Students will learn how to set up projects, customise assistive tools, set up and manage resources such as translation memories and termbases, use and understand appropriate use of machine translation, and undertake various stages of quality assurance.
You will also be exposed to scenarios intended to mimic real-world professional situations, including taking part in a large-scale simulated translation project as either a vendor or project manager, offering an opportunities to develop skills in preparing relevant professional documentation and in understanding pricing and negotiation strategies in a professional context.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lectures81.008.00
Group learning42.008.00
Practical82.0016.00
Independent online learning hours63.00
Private study hours55.00
Total Contact hours32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

For their independent online learning, students are expected to:
- Complete exercises distributed in class (21 hours);
- Prepare for and complete team projects (21 hours);- Complete reading and other tasks suggested after class (21 hours).



For their private study, students are expected to:
- Complete further reading depending on their interests using the ‘Further reading’ list provided (20 hours);
- Conduct their own research on subjects covered in class (25 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- In-class weekly exercises focusing on CAT tool workflows, processes, and technical details, allowing for personalised feedback on in-class activities;
- Continuous interaction through the module virtual learning environment area, including blogs and discussion board entries, allowing for tutor-led and peer feedback;- One team project with group feedback from project clients and project managers (including feedback on a final project presentation) on linguistic deliverables (translations, revisions, translation memories, termbases, etc.) and professional documentation (quotations, invoices, email communications, etc.)

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Case Study2000 Words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

The summative assessment comprises one submission worth 100% of the module mark. In the assessment, students are required to engage with the practical and theoretical dimensions of their study on this module in terms of how such technology affects the quality of translations and/or the ‘cost’ of learning and using these tools in various dimensions (money, time, mental effort, etc.). They will be required to draw upon practical examples and one or more short case studies from their own experience of using the tools (including tests and experiments that they may have conducted and their experience of the formative team project) and to combine this practical knowledge with secondary research to support their argument. Resits will assume the same format.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/05/2022

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