Course Title: Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2011
Course Code: LANG5774C
Course Title: Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices
School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6111 - Advanced Diploma of Interpreting
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
Mr. David Deck david.deck@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
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 research, analyse and apply a range of approaches to translating and interpreting. You will explore the history, development and progress of relevant theories and their application to work assignment and practice.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSPTIS614A Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices |
Element: |
1. Research the practiceand theory of translating and interpreting. 2. Identify the role of the translator. 3.Critique translations. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Analyse the concept of translation and its relevance to the study of translating. 2.1 Analyse the cultural and political agenda of translation. 3.1 Analyse aspects which have to be translated /
|
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Lectures will aim to explain various aspects of the underlying theories and demonstrate their applicability to interpreting work practices. These will be followed by learner-guided activities designed to reinforce understanding of the concepts. These concepts will also be reinforced by activities in other language-specific courses.
Teaching Schedule
| Week No. | Teaching Outline |
| Week 1 | Course introduction and overview. Assessment expectations and criteria. Introduction to modes of interpreting, objectives of interpreting, and the communication process as it applies to interpreting. |
| Week 2 | Introduction to the principles and practice of interpreting, including good habits of interpreting, intervention by the interpreter, dealing with uncertainties, and issues with the interpreter’s role. |
| Week 3 |
Introduction to the skills required by an interpreter, including language skills, subject knowledge, and transfer skills. Introduction to effective methods of developing these skills (including the place of note-taking in dialogue interpreting). |
| Week 4 |
Introduction to sight translating, including requirements and techniques. Introduction to monologue interpreting, including effective listening. |
| Week 5 |
Introducton to the theory of note-taking for monologue interpreting, including Rozan’s principles. |
| Week 6 |
In-class practice and discussion of note-taking for monologue interpreting. |
| Week 7 |
Introduction to Baker’s book In other words, including the concepts of ‘meaning-based interpreting’, ‘form’ and ‘meaning’, non-equivalence of meaning, and the levels of non-equivalence. Introduction to analysis of meaning, including componential analysis and the types of propositional meaning. |
| Week 8 |
Further analysis of meaning, including the evoked and expressive/associative layers of meaning. Introduction to non-equivalence at the word level, including the concepts associated with lexical sets, and the reasons why non-equivalence occurs. |
| Mid Semester Break |
|
| Week 9 |
Further explanation of non-equivalence at the word level, including strategies for dealing with such non-equivalence. |
| Week 10 |
Further explanation of strategies for dealing with non-equivalence at the word level. |
| Week 11 |
Introduction to non-equivalence above the word level, including dealing with collocations. |
| Week 12 | Further explanation of non-equivalence above the word level, specifically in dealing with idioms, fixed expressions, and sayings. |
| Week 13 |
Introduction to non-equivalence at the grammatical level, including grammar as a way of conveying meaning, the implications for interpreters, and how to deal with non-equivalence of number, tense & aspect, and voice. |
| Week 14 | Further explanation of non-equivalence at the grammatical level, including politeness & formality markers, gender, embedded structures, and problems with word forms. |
| Week 15 | Introduction to non-equivalence at the textual level, including cohesion markers and information focus. Distribution of Learning Outcome 2 via Blackboard. |
| Week 16 | Introduction to non-equivalence at the pragmatic level, including coherence and implicature. (Test held on Friday October 28 commencing 9.30 am). |
| Week 17 | University Official Exam Period |
| Week 18 | University Official Exam Period |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Baker, M., In other words – a coursebook on translation, Routledge, 2011 (2nd edition) |
|
RMIT, Theoretical Bases of T&I Reader |
References
Ginori, H. & Scimone, E., Introduction to Interpreting: Background Notes to Interpreting as a Profession in a Multicultural Society, Lantern, 1995 |
|
Halliday, M.A.K., Cohesion in English, Longman, 1994 |
|
Hatim, B. & Mason, I., Discourse and the Translator, Longman 1994 |
|
Katan, D., Translating Cultures: An Introduction for Translators, Interpreters and Mediators, St Jerome, Manchester UL and Northampron MA, 2nd ed. 2004 |
|
Larson, M., Meaning-Based Translation, A Guide To Cross-Language Equivalence, 2nd Ed., University Press of America, 1998 |
|
Pochhacker, F., Introducing Interpreting Studies, Routledge, London and New York, 2004 |
Other Resources
Class notes, Power Point files and audio/video learning materials on Blackboard as directed by teacher.
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 may include, but are not limited to:
- written tests
- translation assisgments
- group discussions/debates
- practical demonstrations/assignments in which theories are applied
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1
A hand-in assignment to be completed in your own time on the concepts covered in Weeks 7–12 of the course. A series of short-answer responses totalling up to 1,000 words, to be submitted by the date of the lecture in Week 13.
Weighting: 40% for the course
Assessment Task 2
An open book classroom test covering concepts covered in weeks 13-16. This test will be held in the last week of the semester (week 16) . The test will be a series of short-answer responses to be completed in 2 hours.
Weighting: 60% for the course
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Grading Schedule:
CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CP - 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