Unit name | Advanced English for Translation Skills |
---|---|
Unit code | LANGM0003 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Miss. Lisa Hanson |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
NONE |
Co-requisites |
NONE |
School/department | Centre for Academic Language and Development |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit is for non-native-speakers of English on the MA Chinese-English Translation who have met the Programme's minimum English language entry requirements but need to develop their English language skills further both for general academic purposes and for the specific study of translation into English. Two of the four main language skills are prioritized for these purposes: reading and writing, and they are practised in an integrated way for the purposes of academic study.
Students will follow a balanced curriculum, designed to develop their analytical and critical faculties in the study of translations and the discourse of Translation Studies. Students will read and analyse pragmatic texts in English in a variety of domains and genres, including semi-specialised texts, in order to improve their analytic reading skills. They will also practice writing in a variety of genres appropriate to professional translation work with an emphasis on the production of fluent English text which is sensitive to audience and purpose. Throughout the unit, fluency, appropriateness and accuracy are aimed at. Students will have the opportunity to use their own academic work within the course programme as a resource for commentary and reflective writing whenever possible.
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Produce fluent, accurate English texts in a variety of common genres.
2. Demonstrate awareness of audience and purpose in reading and writing.
3. Critically analyse original English texts in a variety of domains.
4. Demonstrate sensitivity to register and pragmatic understanding commensurate with translation at Masters level.
5. Reflect critically on performance.
Learning will be facilitated in small classes and will involve small group and pair work activities as well as some lecture style input. Self and peer review will be encouraged. Students will produce written work online each week – either a critical commentary or a text.
100% coursework.
A portfolio that will contain:
1. 5 short pieces of writing (250-350 words each) in a variety of different genres (50%) (ILO 1,2, 5)
2. Critical commentaries (250 words each) on 5 original texts in a variety of different genres (50%) (ILO 2, 3, 4)
Biber, D.et al. (1999.) Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. (Harlow: Pearson) Carter, R, & M.McCarthy (2006) Cambridge Grammar of English: A Comprehensive Guide. (Cambridge: CUP) Swam, M. (2005) Practical English Usage 3rd edn