Unit information: Introduction to Specialised Translation (Mandarin) in 2015/16

Unit name	Introduction to Specialised Translation (Mandarin)
Unit code	MODLM0008
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Yuan
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to develop key research and translation skills to enable students to build up their own specialist areas of expertise within the translation industry. Students will develop their skills in using internet resources as well as specialist reference terminology. They will build a glossary, and comment on their work and the translation process to the group. The unit also requires students to share their experience and network effectively with their peers as a preparation for the teamwork necessary for professional practice. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to build up a specialist area of expertise in translation. Students will learn to research and translate practice texts taken from at least two of the categories offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (legal, literary, commercial, social sciences, science and technology).

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. carry out effectively the lexical and contextual research required to translate specialised texts in at least two different categories;
2. prepare and reflect on translations of specialised texts;
3. apply previous linguistic knowledge and their study of translation theory to enhance their ability to reflect critically on the practice of translation;
4. evaluate critically and apply a range of translation strategies appropriate for specialised texts;
5. format and present their assessed submissions to professional standards;
6. share experience, discuss and network effectively with peers to discuss and resolve problems n accordance with ethical guidelines.

Teaching Information

Delivered through weekly seminars. The tutor will offer practice texts in at least two of the categories in the Diploma in Translation offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists, with guidance on effective web research skills. Students will be required to network with their peers to discuss problems and potential solutions. The tutor will monitor discussions and provide brief individual feedback and group feedback.

Students will also be expected to discuss and provide feedback on each other's work.

Assessment Information

There are four components to summative assessment:

a) 50%: Two 600-word annotated translations from Chinese to English chosen from the specialised categories studied, each accompanied by a 600-word commentary (translation 60%, annotation 40% of each assignment) – reflecting ILOs 1-6

b) 50%: Two 600-word annotated translations from English to Chinese chosen from the specialised categories studied, each accompanied by a 600-word commentary (translation 60%, annotation 40% of each assignment) – reflecting ILOs 1-6

Formative assessment will consist of practice translation pieces which will be subject to peer and tutor feedback.

Reading and References

• Deborah Cao, Translating Law (Multilingual Matters, 2007)
• Michael Henry Heim and Andrzej Tymowski, Guidelines for the Translationof Social Science Texts (2006)
• Defeng Li, Translating Financial Texts: Theories and Applications (ChineseUniversity of Hong Kong Press, 2007)
• Douglas Robinson, Becoming a Translator: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (Routledge, 2003)
• Christina Schäffner and Beverley Adab (eds), Developing Translation Competence (Benjamins, 2000).