Course Title: Translate special purpose texts from English to LOTE

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: LANG5775C

Course Title: Translate special purpose texts from English to LOTE

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6109 - Advanced Diploma of Translating

Course Contact : Miranda Lai

Course Contact Phone: +(61 3) 9925 3523

Course Contact Email:miranda.lai@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit covers skills and knowledge required to translate special purpose texts from the English language into another language ,  focusing on skills to convey the purpose and use of the text.  Special purpose texts are typically characterised by context-specific terminology and discourse. The chances of encountering significant equivalence problems are high.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSPTIS601A Translate special purpose texts from English to LOTE

Element:

1- Analyse special purpose source texts.

2- Translate English source texts to draft texts in LOTE.

3- Check draft translations.

4- Revise translations.

5- Finalise and evaluate special-purpose translations.

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Receive and manage source texts according to client requirements and conditions and confirm that it is complete and legible.
1.2. Review personal skills and experience required to undertake assignments and meet client requirements.
1.3. Identify complex areas of content and language requiring additional research and gather reference material in suitable format and timeframe.
1.4. Identify suitable tools and equipment to aid in translation.
1.5. Analyse source texts and apply knowledge of subject and context and experiences in related texts to determine key elements and potential translation quality issues.
1.6. Restructure source text to clarify meaning and discuss issues arising with clients.
1.7. Choose approach to translation suitable to target audience and purpose of translation.
2.1. Research and apply established translation precedents and information from resources to ensure consistent outcomes.
2.2. Analyse and adapt cultural and linguistic content of source texts as appropriate for document end use.
2.3. Identify areas requiring further research or assistance and seek and incorporate additional information.
2.4. Produce draft translations of source texts that are accurate, coherent, and appropriate for document end use and assignment requirements.
2.5. Record translation decisions and justification in glossary.
3.1. Critically evaluate subject-specific terminology and concepts, consistency, accuracy and functional equivalence of translated text.
3.2. Identify and correct errors, distortions and unsupported translation decisions.
3.3. Use tools and equipment to check translations, refine and improve target texts and manage and correct errors.
4.1. Assess and incorporate advice from checking translator and subject experts.
4.2. Discuss and resolve outstanding issues with appropriate persons.
4.3. Undertake further revision until target text is functionally equivalent to source text.
5.1. Use technology to format translated texts according to agreed specifications and end use requirements, and liaise with client where required.
5.2. Proofread formatted texts using standard methods to annotate proof corrections.
5.3. Return final version of translated texts and supporting documentation to clients according to agreed procedures and within suitable timeframe.
5.4. Discuss issues and solutions with colleagues and advisers and explore process improvement strategies.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

The central activity in this unit is to translate passages and review translation decisions as a group in class/translation lab. 
Students will undertake a translation project.   Students will learn to work with technological tools to assist their translations. 


Teaching Schedule

The weekly teaching schedule and practice material from various domains relevant to professional translation practice will be provided in class/lab by the teacher.
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be ongoing during the semester, and you will receive feedback on your progress. You will undertake a variety of assessment tasks and activities to assess your level of competence against key elements and performance criteria.

The assessment tasks/activities may include, but are not limited to:


- translation projects

- peer reviewed practical tasks

- real or simulated translation assignments

- practical demonstrations/assignments in which theories and strategies are applied abnd reviewed

- action learning activities


Assessment Tasks


Assessment Task 1: Translation project   Due date : (This  will be advised by the teacher when the project is assigned) (This task assesses Elements 3,4 and 5)

Each student will be given a translation assignment in a simulated translation project involving independent checking and focus group by target language speakers.
Each student will analyze the source text and translate into the target language. The translation will then be independently checked by another student. The translator will then work through the suggestions and incorporate the suggestions or where they disagree with the independent checker’s suggestion, they will provide reasons on a cross-cultural independent checking form. The final translation will then be forwarded to a focus group of target language speakers (ideally monolingual LOTE speakers) for their feedback about idiomatic language, collocations, cohesion, clarity and overall quality. The translator will then respond to the feedback by the focus group and produce the final translation for users.
 

This task will be assessed COMPETENT or NOT YET COMPETENT. 

 
Assessment Task 2: DUE DATE (will be advised by the teacher) Translation of 2 passages of approx. 250 English words each in class/computer lab in timed test (word count and complexity will be in complaince to NAATI accreditation standards)

Assessment Task 3: DUE DATE (will be advised by the teacher) Translation of 2 passages of approx. 250 English words each in class/computer lab in timed test (word count and complexity will be in complaince to NAATI accreditation standards)

A student must achieve a minimum of Competent in all assessment tasks to successfully complete this unit for the award of academic qualification. The assessment tasks 2 and 3 will be used for graded competency assessment and also for recommendation for  NAATI accreditation. Students must achieve a minimum of Competent with Distinction to be recommended to NAATI for accreditation.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Grading Schedule:

CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competent with Pass
NYC - Not Yet Competent

Special Consideration:

Students may apply for Special Consideration on a range of health or compassionate grounds where they experience unexpected or extenuating circumstances. Information on ‘How to apply for Special Consideration’ can be found at http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=b1wqvnwk8aui

Special Consideration Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y
Special Consideration Procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=riderwtscifm


Extension of time for submission of assessable work:
Circumstances may arise which prevent students from completing an assessment task on time. In certain circumstances a student may be entitled to apply for an extension to the due date.
Extensions of 7 calendar days or less:
Students seeking an extension of 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the School.
Extensions of greater than 7 working days:
Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy , preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Extension of time for submission of assessable work procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Plagiarism:

Students are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism in oral, written or visual presentations is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. The use of another person’s work or ideas must be acknowledged. Failure to do so may result in charges of academic misconduct which carry a range of penalties including cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. Students are responsible for ensuring that their work is kept in a secure place. It is also a disciplinary offence for students to allow their work to be plagiarized by another student. Students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of copyright material.

RMIT Plagiarism Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1


Complaints:

RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.


Student Complaints Policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=tk82eodesmot1
Student complaints Procedure: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf


Course Overview: Access Course Overview