| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0012 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Carol O'Sullivan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Successful completion of Taught Component of MA in Chinese-English Translation Or equivalent Diploma in Chinese-English Translation |
| Co-requisites |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Students must produce either a) a 15,000 word research-based dissertation or b) an extended piece of original translation, with annotations and commentary. For b) students must complete a translation into English of publishable standard of a previously untranslated text or unified body of texts consisting of approximately 8-10,000 words in the original,together with an analytical introduction (indicating the relevance of the text, analysing the style and providing a theoretical justification for the chosen approach to the translation) and appropriate annotations (indicating problems of translation and giving necessary explanations). Shorter texts may be considered with advance approval from the programme director. For both routes a) and b), the text is selected in consultation with tutors, and subject to approval by the programme director.
Aims: The unit will require students of the MA in Chinese-English Translation to draw together and synthesise much of what they have learned in both the theoretical and applied elements of the taught programme. Though it allows the choice of either a research-based route, which may provide the grounding for advanced postgraduate work, or of a practice-based route, training students to produce a substantial annotated translation to a professional standard, the unit will in both cases test both advanced linguistic competence (normally in specialist language-areas), and sophisticated application of translation theory to the analysis of high-level translation practice.
Students will combine specialist linguistic knowledge with theoretical approaches to translation studied in the core and optional units to produce either a) an analytical research-based study, e.g. of existing translations or b) a self-reflectively analytical piece of extended translation. In carrying through to completion an extended project in relation to their chosen field they will refine their C8 independent research skills, their ability to make appropriate and suitably detailed annotations, to draft a detailed and accurate bibliography, and (especially under b)) their expertise as translators. Students who complete this unit successfully will be equipped with the basic skills required for doctoral research (route a)) or for advanced (professional-level) translation practice (route b)).
Research methods training delivered via weekly hour-long seminars; after confirmation of dissertation topic, regular supervisory consultations in line with Faculty MA guidelines
Dissertation of 15000 words (route a)
Or: extended translation, normally of approx. 10000 words in the original, with annotations and commentary of approx. 5000 words (route b)
To be determined by individual students in consultation with their supervisor
