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PL52176: Translation theory and practice

[Page last updated: 16 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWSI 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Post-editing (CWSI 50%)
  • Translation analysis (CWSI 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate:
  • that you have a robust understanding of mainstream translation theories
  • that you are able to analyse and critique the products and processes of translation
  • that you are able to apply principles from translation theory to your own translation work
  • that you can reflect on others' translations of a variety of texts
  • that you understand the roles and responsibilities of the professional translator



Synopsis: Explore the key principles of translation theory and how they apply to the processes of professional translation work. You'll reflect critically on different approaches to translation and apply them to a variety of translation tasks in one of your language pairs, informed by your reading of the literature. You'll develop your skills in translation, critical analysis, use of written and spoken language and reasoned argument.

Content: The unit will comprise five two-hour lectures open to all MAIT, TPLS and TBI students, plus five two-hour language-specific seminars open to students taking the unit as a credit-bearing unit. Lectures will present and review key translation theory and theorists. They will also consider the translator's role as an expert linguist, ethical aspects of workflow and procedure in translation, and a variety of contexts. You will learn how translation skills are applied, for example, to transcription, multi-modal text, subtitling, transcreation, post-editing and longer texts. The content will be delivered by staff from across the department. Seminars will apply the ideas from the lectures to specific translation tasks. Students will elect to attend language-specific seminars in one language but can audit seminars in their other language pair. Assessment will be (i) one post-editing assignment and (ii) one commentary on a translation task.

Course availability:

PL52176 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Russian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM48 : MA Translation and Professional Language Skills - Spanish

PL52176 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Russian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - French and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - German and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Italian and Spanish
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian 
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and German
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Italian
  • THPL-AFM45 : MA Interpreting and Translating - Russian and Spanish

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.