Unit information: Computer-Assisted Translation in 2023/24

Unit name	Computer-Assisted Translation
Unit code	MODLM0048
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Wang
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Students will acquire an understanding of and familiarity with translation software applications including SDL Trados Studio and develop a practical competence in the keyfunctionalities offered. They will build up translation memories and become familiar with terminology management resources.

They will also be introduced to machine translation and how it can be incorporated into professional translation workflows. Discussion of research on computer-assisted translation and the unit’s practical tasks will form the basis of a critical evaluation of translation technologies and their role in the translation process.

Aims:

The unit aims will

• introduce students to translation software applications to enable them to analyse and evaluate their functionalities from the perspective of the practising translator.
• require students to appreciate and reflect critically on the strengths and limitations of such software applications in different professional contexts, and to assess their impact on the translator.

Your learning on this unit

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a practical knowledge of the main principles of computer-assisted translation and an understanding of different translation software applications currently used in the translation industry;
2. assess and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different translation software applications
3. in a range of contexts; reflect critically on the impact of computer applications on the role of the professional translator.

How you will learn

The unit will be taught as an interactive two-hour seminar each week.

How you will be assessed

1 x assignment consisting of a computer-assisted translation project (50%) (ILO 1)

1 x 1,500 word essay (50%) (ILO 1-3)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0048).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.