Course Title: Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: LANG5774C

Course Title: Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6133 - Advanced Diploma of Translating

Course Contact: Bing Lee Teh

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0326

Course Contact Email: binglee.teh@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Ms. Binglee TEH - binglee.teh@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 describes the skills required to research, analyse and apply a range of approaches to translating and interpreting based on the history, development and progress of relevant theories and their current application to work assignments and practice. The application of translating and interpreting theory is an essential component of interpreting and translating work assignments which require justification and critiquing of work undertaken.

This unit applies to those working as translators and interpreters in a range of professional settings.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSPTIS614A Apply theories to translating and interpreting work practices

Element:

1. Research the practice and theory of translating and interpreting.

Performance Criteria:

1.1.         Analyse the concept of translation and its relevance to the study of translating.
1.2.         Research key developments and key influences in the history and theory of translating and interpreting.
1.3.         Analyse the impact of theory on current translating and interpreting practice.
1.4.         Identify key issues in contemporary study and practice of translating and interpreting.

Element:

2. Identify the role of the translator

Performance Criteria:

2.1.         Analyse the cultural and political agenda of translation.
2.2.         Analyse the position and positionality of the translator.
2.3.         Identify the influence of the publishing industry on the translator.
2.4.         Analyse the impact of the new media, localization and globalisation on translation.
2.5.         Identify new directions for translation.

Element:

3. Critique translations

Performance Criteria:

3.1.         Analyse aspects which have to be translated / interpreted for work assignments.
3.2.         Determine the relevance and application of particular theories to work assignments.
3.3.         Classify and explain the procedures adopted to clients, colleagues and agencies.
3.4.         Analyse and constructively report on procedures, translations and interpretations.


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

The learning actvities include instructor guided and learner-guided activities. The classes will cover various aspects of the underlying theories and their applicability to translating and interpreting work practices. These will be followed by learner-guided activities designed to reinforce understanding and application of the concepts in simulated tasks. These concepts will also be reinforced by activities in other units.


Teaching Schedule

Teaching and Assessments Schedule

 

 

Class

Elements

Contents

Other Events

1

 

1.      Research the practice and theory of translating and interpreting

2.      Identify the role of the translator

3.      Critique translations

Introduction and overview to

‒        Course

‒        Assessments

‒        Expectations and criteria

Definition of basic terms

Intro to LANG5774C - Elements

Distribution of Readings for AT1 and AT2 on Blackboard

2

 

Introduction to the concepts of:

‒        non-equivalence of meaning

‒        the levels of non-equivalence

 

3

 

AT1 – In class short answers/quiz based on a relevant reading/chapter/paper

4

 

Introduction to non-equivalence at the word level

‒        the reasons why non-equivalence occurs

‒        common problems of non-equivalent

 

5

 

Strategies for dealing with non-equivalence at word level

Submission of section 1 of AT2

 

 

Semester Break

6

 

Introduction to non-equivalence above the word level, including dealing with collocations

 

7

 

Introduction to non-equivalence above the word level, including dealing with idioms, fixed expressions and sayings

 

8

 

AT3 – In class short answers Quiz based on all content covered

Submission of section 2 of AT2

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

The unit is supported online using Blackboard. The Blackboard gives access to important announcements, staff contacts details, the teaching schedule, assessment timelines and a variety of important teaching and learning materials. Access to Blackboard can be found at myRMIT www.rmit.edu.au/myrmit


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

You must complete all THREE assessment tasks satisfactorily to be assessed Competent for this unit.

 

 

Assessment

Due

Type

Competent Criteria

AT1

Class 3

In-class test based on readings uploaded on Blackboard

This assessment consists of 20 questions.

You will be assessed Competent or Not-Yet-Competent for this assessment and if you get 80% of your questions correct, you will be assessed as Competent.

Duration: 1.5 hours

AT2

Class 5

Class 8

Written Assignment – Research and analysis of a given written text in a particular genre. You will be asked to discuss the role of the translator/interpreter in dealing with particular discourse, strategies, theories and justifying your translating and interpreting decisions using a provided template.

 

By completion

Section 1 due: class 5

Section 2 due: class 8

Marking criteria will be provided in instruction sheet uploaded on Blackboard.

The originality verification software, Turnitin may be used for this assessment.

Submission of this assessment must be accompanied by a completed cover sheet for Submission of work for Assessment downloadable via http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

AT3

Class 8

 

In class test/quiz designed to test underpinning knowledge and skills covered during the semester

This assessment consists of 15 questions.

You will be assessed Competent or Not-Yet-Competent for this assessment and if you get 80% of your questions correct, you will be assessed as Competent.

Duration: 1.5 hours

 

Important Notes:

  • Further instructions will be provided in class.
  • Details of marking criteria for each assessment will be included in respective Assignment Instruction Sheet


GRADING INFORMATION

This course uses a competency-based assessment and will be graded as follows:

  • CA (Competency Achieved)
  • NYC (Not Yet Competent)
  • DNS (Did Not Submit)

All competency-based assessment tasks for this course must be completed to the required level (see the elements and key performance criteria) in order to achieve a CA (Competency Achieved).

If a student has not completed ALL the assessment tasks or they have completed but some or all are not at the required level, they will be assessed as NYC (Not Yet Competent).

If a student does not submit assessment tasks at all, a DNS result will be entered.

Important: Students must complete each and every assessment and be assessed competent in each and every assessment in order to pass the relevant unit(s) and the whole cluster.


Assessment Matrix

ElementsAssessment Task 1Assessment Task 2Assessment Task 3
  1. Research the practice and theory of translating and interpreting
X X X
  1. Identify the role of the translator
  X X
  1. Critique translations
X X X

Other Information

Learning Resources - RMIT Library
The University Library provides extensive services, facilities and study space as well as comprehensive collections of books, periodicals and other course related materials, such as DVD’s, magazines, slides, films etc. Computer laboratories with access to a wide range of desktop publishing software are also available. The library also has an expanding virtual collection of electronic resources and networks, including product data, e-books, electronic journals and newspapers, web based tutorials, online reference and document delivery services etc., all of which are accessible on campus, and off campus 24 hours per day. More information on library resources and services can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library
The Learning Lab is a collection of web-based resources including tip sheets and interactive tutorials on study skills, writing, English language development and maths. Access RMIT’s Learning Lab online via this link: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/
 

Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date without special consideration.

Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
c) You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing

Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
* Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
* Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
* Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
* Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
* Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
* Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
* Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
* Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.

For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y

Plagiarism Software
The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com 
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview