LING3107 An Introduction to Translation: Theory and Practice

Students who have completed SPAN3402 should consult the topic coordinator before enrolling.

This topic provides an introduction to the theory and practice of translation for students who have no experience of translation. It involves the translation of texts in various styles, including journalism, advertising and literature, from French, Indonesian, Italian, Modern Greek, or Spanish into English and, where applicable, from English into French, Modern Greek, Indonesian, Italian, or Spanish.

At a theoretical level, the topic introduces the issues involved in translation and the problems raised by the translation of various genres. It also aims to introduce strategies to resolve difficulties in the areas of vocabulary, idioms, cultural equivalence, and syntax. Active participation is required of students in language-specific tutorials and on-line discussion groups, where students will discuss problems encountered in their translation assignments and their application of strategies to resolve them.

This topic aims to:

• Introduce students to some of the theoretical issues and problems involved in translation
• Introduce students to some of the most common strategies in the practice of translation
• Give students the opportunity to translate texts of moderate difficulty from French/Indonesian/Italian/Modern Greek/Spanish to English in different written styles, e.g. journalism, advertising, literature. Students may also be able to translate texts from English to French/ Indonesian/Italian/Modern Greek/Spanish in a similar variety of styles
• Develop further students' comprehension of written French/Indonesian/Italian/Modern Greek/Spanish and English at an advanced level in the context of translation
• Develop further students' ability to write in English and, where applicable, in French/ Indonesian/Italian/Modern Greek/Spanish and English at an advanced level in the context of translation

1. Identify issues and problems involved in translation and be able to discuss and justify their choices with reference to the relevant theoretical concepts taught in the topic
2. Apply some of the most common translation strategies appropriately
3. Translate different types of texts of moderate difficulty from French/ Indonesian/Modern Greek/ Italian/Spanish to English and, where applicable, from English to French/Indonesian/Modern Greek/Italian/Spanish
4. Demonstrate written skills in French/Indonesian/Italian/Spanish and, where applicable, English at an advanced level
5. Write in English and, where applicable, French/Indonesian/Italian/Modern Greek/Spanish at an advanced level