2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MODL5235M Advanced Computer-Assisted Translation

15 creditsClass Size: 90

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisites

MODL5235M

Advanced Computer-Assisted Translation

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. Building on the knowledge already acquired in Semester 1, this module shifts its focus to advanced features of a variety of computer-assisted translation tools, encouraging students to further develop their practical expertise and critical evaluation of the ways in which computer-assisted translation tools are used. The module also features two team projects inspired by our long-term collaborations with industry partners. These projects enable our students to further develop 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. This module also offers opportunities to practice the preparation of CAT training materials using a variety of media, and to discuss pertinent ethical issues relating to the use of translation technology in the translation industry. 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, and project management, including both server- and cloud-based translation project management software. 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 in-depth 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), server- and cloud-based translation project management software, and dedicated quality assurance software.
Students will acquire both theoretical and advanced 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 are put to the test in two group translation projects during the semester, feeding into summative feedback on a number of professional deliverables (translations, revisions, quotations, invoices, email communications, etc.), as well as further sources of experimentation and testing for the summative reflective essay included in the portfolio.

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, including server- and cloud-based translation project management software, and quality assurance software, to manage terminology, translate documentation of various types, and manage projects with a high degree of professional proficiency and expertise;
2. Describe critically the state of the art in computer-assisted translation (CAT) and evaluate the relative merits of different tools and reflect on personal experiences of using CAT software modern translation project workflows;
3. Implement industry-standard translation project workflows and processes across a variety of file types and project types, and participate in and/or coordinate multilingual translation projects;
4. Comment on ethical questions in relation to the translation industry, translation technology, and the translator employment market;
5. Locate and exploit translation resources available on the Internet;
6. 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;
- Using quality assurance software in the translation project workflow;
- Researching rates and profit margins, and quoting and invoicing for multilingual translation projects.

Syllabus

This module offers a wide range of forums to engage in translation, editing and post-editing using advanced functionalities of computer-assisted translation software. Building on knowledge already acquired on the programme, students will be exposed to a wider range of content types to enhance students’ awareness of wider issues in the localisation of content for professional purposes.
Classes 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, post-production and project management processes. Students will build on existing skills in terms of setting up projects and managing resources such as translation memories, termbases and machine translation, and progress to a range of advanced features in the specialist software, ranging from server-based project management and cloud-based project management, to dedicated quality assurance software.
Students will engage with scenarios replicating real-world professional processes, including two large-scale simulated translation projects, where students will have the opportunity to test their skills working as vendors and project managers in order to satisfy specific client demands. Students will also engage in tasks to prepare training materials on certain features of the software, again replicating the varied roles that project managers and translation professionals undertake in their day-to-day work. The module also addresses relevant professional documentation and explores some of the ethical dimensions of translation technology use against the wider backdrop of the changing professional landscape of translation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Group learning	8	2.00	16.00
Lecture	6	1.00	6.00
Practical	6	2.00	12.00
Independent online learning hours			71.00
Private study hours			45.00
Total Contact hours			34.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

For their independent online learning, students are expected to:
- Complete exercises distributed in class (20 hours);
- Prepare for and complete team projects (31 hours);
- Complete reading and other tasks suggested after class (20 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
- Continuous interaction through the module virtual learning environment area
- Two team projects 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 type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	Portfolio to be submitted in May consisting of: 1,500 word reflective essay and a range of project deliverables from the two CAT Team Projects (e.g. quotes, invoices, translation memories, termbases, translated files, peer and self-reflections)	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The summative assessment comprises one submission worth 100% of the module mark. Students will be required to submit a portfolio made up of a number of project deliverables, ranging from professional documentation (e.g. offer of services, quotation, invoice) to translation resources (e.g. translation memories, glossaries) and translation products (e.g. translations, revisions, post-edited machine translations, etc.), all of which will be derived from the two team projects undertaken on this module. As part of this portfolio, students will also submit a 1,500-word reflective essay, demonstrating and providing evidence of their experience with CAT tools and modern translation workflows during the team projects. Resits will assume largely the same format. The reflective essay will adopt the same format, but the project deliverables will need to be compiled using the student’s own in-class project resources.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/05/2022

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD