Course Title: Translating Practice and Principles

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Translating Practice and Principles

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Dr. Erika Gonzalez

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0428

Course Coordinator Email: erika.gonzalezgarcia@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.05

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course aims to develop students’ competence as translators at a foundation level. Course content will focus on students gaining understanding of the process of translation and the different skills and techniques specifically applicable to different text types. Students will have opportunity to gain skills and knowledge to evaluate and apply conventions, standards, theories, concepts and approaches in simulated scenarios. Students will also apply cross cultural communicative skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal contexts. Students will be primarily trained to translate from English into a second language, with exposure to translating from a second language into English.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Communicate effectively in a range of forms and in different international and cross-cultural contexts, using appropriate modes of communication including electronic, written, graphic, oral and aural forms with audiences within and external to the discipline.
  • Identify, evaluate and critically analyse cultural, historical and theoretical practices which contextualise your professional practice and further study of language.
  • Critically analyse resources, evidence and personal experience to make ethical, socially and politically aware decisions related to language and intercultural interpretations and applications.


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  1. Produce translations of source texts that are accurate, coherent, and appropriate for document end use and assignment requirements.
  2. Critically evaluate translations for accuracy, style and suitability for end use
  3. Use technology to translate and format translated texts according to agreed specifications and end use requirements,
  4. Investigate and apply relevant translation theories and approaches to your professional practice.
  5. Review and edit translations done by a peer to provide a revised quality, professional translation.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will take the form of:

  • tutorials
  • interpreting practice sessions in language labs
  • individual or group project
  • real or simulated interpreting tasks
  • online interactions


Overview of Learning Resources

Learning resources will consist of recommended references and class notes which may be accessed through "myRMIT" if you are in Melbourne and via "RMIT online" if you are based in Vietnam. The set of references is deliberately broad, including books, journal publications, government reports, industry standards and handbooks, and web-based resources.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment 1: Simulated translating tasks (3 tasks)   Weighting (%): 50% Part 1 - Week 4 (10%) Part 2 - Week 8 (15%) Part 3 - Week 11 (25%) This task assesses the following learning outcomes: CLO1, CLO3, CLO4   Assessment 2: Essay critically evaluating translations for accuracy, style, suitability and end use Weighting: 40% This task assesses the following learning outcomes: CLO2, CLO3, CLO5   Assessment 3: Interview on case study Weighting: 10%