Course Title: Context and Practice of Translation 2B (LOTE into English) Arabic

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: LANG5404

Course Title: Context and Practice of Translation 2B (LOTE into English) Arabic

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6067 - Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting

Course Contact : Brad Paez

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0362

Course Contact Email:brad.paez@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mr. Abdallatif Almatrah    abdallatif.almatra@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

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

Pre-Requisites:
Context and Practice of Translation 1B (English into LOTE) Arabic

Course Description

This course aims to provide students with skills and knowledge in written transfer, the primary competency of the Professional Translator, and the ability to consistently apply relevant theoretical frameworks and contextual knowledge required for particular assignments.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBN930 Context and Practice of Translation 2B (LOTE into English) Arabic


Learning Outcomes


On completion of this module you will be able to:

  1. Translate passages that embody a reasonable level of linguistic and conceptual difficulty from LOTE into English, exhibiting appropriate use of transfer skills and achieving acceptable meaning-based renderings.
  2. Examine in depth a range of institutional and professional contexts in which interpreting and translating take place as professional activities, and apply related concepts and vocabulary within more complex translation practice.
  3. Research Australia’s and the LOTE-speaking country’s institutional and professional contexts that arise in a substantial translation text.
  4. Collaborate in developing acceptable equivalences (in English or the LOTE as applicable) for terminology relating to these contexts.
  5. Apply a variety of techniques for translating words and terms that are difficult to transfer due to cultural factors.
  6. Provide a comprehensive rationale for each equivalence.


Details of Learning Activities

In small groups you will develop the skills and knowledge to perform complex translation tasks. In particular, the instruction will aim to assist you to: 

  • Undertake translation tasks from the LOTE into English, involving a range of ancillary skills as incorporated into aspects of textual analysis: context, idiom, collocation, register, stylistics, etc. 
  • Use monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, glossaries, thesauri and other appropriate databases used by professional translators in an appropriate manner. 
  • Compile monolingual and bilingual glossaries and databases in line with Australian and international professional practices.
  • Develop appropriate translation techniques, such as transference, cultural equivalence, functional equivalence, transposition and ability to evaluate the merits and demerits of such techniques.
  • Link translation practice to the theoretical frameworks studied in Theoretical Bases of Interpreting & Translating, and to the ethical, professional and role aspects studied in Ethics and Professional Practice of Interpreting & Translating.
  • Understand and apply the meaning-based approach to translation.
  • Produce highly accurate translations containing no major errors, particularly those that extend beyond the word / phrase level and lead a student into making subsequent significant errors of cause / effect, etc.
  • Produce complete translations (no ‘censoring’, summarising or providing extraneous information).
  • Make appropriate choice of vocabulary, particularly medium- and high-frequency vocabulary.
  • Ensure correct spelling, punctuation and capitalisation, and where applicable, correct formation of script or ideographs.
  • Choose appropriate register.
  • Transfer lines of cohesion (causes and effects, and inter-relationships between elements) and maintain the logical order of the original argument.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in grammar of both languages and general absence of systemic grammar errors that permeate the entire translation (eg in English, consistently choosing inappropriate tenses, singular/plural, articles, etc).
  • Recognise and understand idioms in the source language and apply appropriate strategies to translate idioms.
  • Avoid non-idiomatic language, particularly where it would impede understanding of the target text.
  • Avoid collocational errors, including use of inappropriate collocations from the source language (eg when translating into English, choosing the source-language collocation ‘hard money’ in¬stead of the English word ‘coins’).
  • Deal proficiently with problems at and above the word level in the source text.
  • Proofread to eliminate errors such as missed words or phrases.
  • Use translator’s notes appropriately (i.e. neither under-used nor over-used, and clearly identified as translator’s notes in one of the commonly accepted ways).
  • Use available resources, including the Internet, to research contextual issues relevant to translation projects.

    You will also need to devote 2 hours per week of your own time on assignments / tasks allocated by your teacher and bring them back to class for discussion and feedback.


Teaching Schedule

Week Number Translating 2B
(LOTE into English)

Week 1  Exam Review
Week 2   Welfare/Social Issues/Education
Week 3   Welfare/Social Issues/Education
Week 4   Health/Medical
Week 5  Health/Medical
Week 6   LO1: Practice Exam
Immigration
Week 7 Immigration
Review Practice Exam
Week 8   Environment , Science & Technology
 Semester Break Semester Break
   
Week 9   Australian Issues/Politics/Industrial Relations
Week 10   LO2: Practice Exam
Australian Issues / Politics/Industrial Relations
Week 11   Business/Trade/Finance/Insurance
Week 12   Business/Trade/Finance/Insurance
Week 13   Law
Review Practice Exam
Week 14   (Last teaching week)

Law 

Week 15   Exam Period Commences
Week 16   Exam Period
Week 17   Exam Period
Week 18   Exam Period


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Baker, M., In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation, Routledge, London, 1999.


Other Resources

Learning Resources
 
Learning materials will largely be generated by the teachers involving a range of written materials (from the press, Internet, media and government publications, etc.) as the module is specifically targeted to developing practical translation skills appropriate to NAATI professional practice.

Blackboard

The Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) is RMIT’s core e-learning tool. It provides a variety of online learning resources and communication tools including:

  • a centralised area to upload and manage course content and practice materials
  • tools creating course content in the Blackboard environment
  • tests (quizzes) and surveys
  • discussion boards and chat rooms
  • assignment submission tools
  • group work spaces

 


Overview of Assessment

Three Learning Outcome tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Learning Outcome 1 (0%, conducted in week 6 or otherwise advised by teacher)

Accreditation examination dry-run, conducted under NAATI* formal examination conditions.
Translate two passages out of three at a level of difficulty appropriate to the NAATI professional level from LOTE into English.

Learning Outcome 2 (0%, conducted in week 10 or otherwise advised by teacher)

Accreditation examination dry-run, conducted under NAATI formal examination conditions.
Translate two passages out of three at a level of difficulty appropriate to the NAATI professional level from LOTE into English.

Learning Outcome 3 (100%, conducted during the University’s formal examination period immediately following the end of semester)

Accreditation examination, conducted under NAATI formal examination conditions.
Translate two passages out of three at a level of difficulty appropriate to the NAATI professional level from LOTE into English.

* NAATI: National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

 

Assessment Criteria

Your translation skills will be assessed by tests that reflect the conditions of NAATI accreditation testing; i.e. the translation of two 250-word or equivalent passages out of three on two different topics from LOTE into English, appropriate to practice at the NAATI Professional level. 

The accreditation examination will be conducted under formal NAATI examination conditions. To be recommended to NAATI for accreditation as an translator at the Professional level, you must achieve the minimum standard in the accreditation examination as set out in the current NAATI and RMIT guidelines, i.e. achieve a mark of no less than 70% (RMIT Distinction grade) overall. 

To achieve NAATI Accreditation, you must obtain at least:

  • 35 out of 50 for each passage (min. of 32.5 per passage)
  • 70 out of 100 for both passages (RMIT Distinction grade) with no single passage below 32.5 out of 50

Key assessment areas and reasons for deduction of marks:

1. Accuracy

Significant omissions
Significant mistranslations
Significant unjustified insertions
Failure to complete passage

2. Resources of Language - Comprehension of Original Text

Misunderstanding vocabulary
Misunderstanding grammatical features
Misunderstanding sentence structures

3. Resources of Language - Expression of Translation

Inappropriate / inexaxt wrod choices
Grammatical errors
Inappropriate / awkard sentence structures
Non-idiomatic usage
Spelling errors
Errors of punctuation / capital letters

4. Technique

Translated too literally in some segments
Translated too freely
Excessive and / or incorrect paraphrasing


    Assessment Matrix

    Other Information

    ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES

    What do I do if I need help in this course?
    You are advised to contact your teacher as soon as any difficulties arise. The Course Coordinator is available for academic advice and support. Once the issue has been identified, the Course Coordinator, in consultation with your teacher and yourself, will put in place an individual study plan. This might include supplementary assessment, consultation during the conduct of assessment or granting an extension. Where these measures are inadequate, the Course Coordinator may refer you to University student support services such as student counselling or the Learning Skills Unit.

    How can I have my relevant previous study or work/life experience assessed as a way of gaining credit in this course?
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means recognition of competencies currently held, regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred. This includes any combination of formal or informal training and education, work experience or general life experience.
    For RPL to be granted, the applicant must provide evidence that he/she:
    • has attained the competencies described in the modules that are being claimed
    • possess current competency in the modules that are being claimed, including underpinning skills and knowledge
    • has applied the relevant modules in a context that is applicable to this qualification.
    Contact the Course Coordinator for further advice about applying for RPL and suitable evidence requirements.

    What are my responsibilities in undertaking this course?
    All students are expected to attend classes regularly and complete all set learning and assessment tasks. You are encouraged to seek support in relation to any difficulties you may have at the program level via the Course Coordinator. Students are expected to act as professionals in the learning environment, a critical capability expected of graduates in their employment.

    Special Consideration
    You may apply for Special Consideration by using the RMIT Application Form for Special Consideration, which is available from RMIT website. The application, with relevant documentation, must be lodged with the Student Hub prior to or within 48 hours of the commencement of the assessment task in question. Applications for special consideration are considered by the expert panel convened by the Academic Registrar (or nominee).

    Plagiarism
    You 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 result and exclusion from your course.
    You are responsible for ensuring that your work is kept in a secure place. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow their work to be plagiarised by another student. You should be aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of copyright material.

    COURSE EVALUATION & FEEDBACK

    How can I let my teacher know about my experience of this course?
    You may discuss this with your teacher at a mutually convenient time. The Shool distributes confidential course assessment forms at the end of each semester for students to complete. These are analysed and action is taken to remedy defects in teaching or course administration as required. The College also conducts student experience and satisfaction surveys during the semester.


    Course Overview: Access Course Overview