Translation and Discourse - English 3200-L2-1DAPBA1
Translation and Discourse: workshops, 30 hrs. Kierunek tłumaczenia: Direction of translation: B–A.
Student’s time investment:
30 class hours
30 hrs for individual preparation
In sum: 60 hrs, corresponding to 2 ECTS
The aim of the course is to help students acquire essential skills in the analysis of discursive features of a text for the sake of translating non-specialist texts.
COURSE CONTENTS:
1. The stages of translation, with a special focus on the comprehension of the source text and its deverbalisation;
2. Analysing the source text for (among others):
- logic
- structure
- vocabulary
- grammar
- stylistic aspects
- rhetorical effects
- factual content
- cultural dimension
- pragmatics
- intertextuality;
2. Methods of conducting texts analyses for translational purposes; sources and methods of research.
3. Selecting a strategy and techniques so as to render adequately the characteristics of the original and so as to make the target text pragmatically suited to the needs and expectations of the target recipient.
4. Types and varieties of texts. Identifying register, style and its markers, as well as methods of rendering thereof in translation. Recognising unequal importance of various elements of the text from translational perspective and being able to prioritise.
5. Analysis of keywords with the view to establishing a translational dominant and to selecting techniques that accommodate the given dominant.
FORMS OF WORK:
Analyses of the source text (identifying the aim, the recipient and the function of a source text); comparative analyses of a translation and the original; analysing mistakes in original texts and in translations; working with varied types of sources; exercises leading to formulating an adequate rendition; preparing analyses at home and discussing the findings in class; preparing brief translation drafts in class.
METHODS OF WORK:
Discussion, group work, individual work, presentations, project work, etc.
SUBJECT MATTER AND TYPES OF ANALYSED TEXTS:
Non-specialist texts on various topics, maximally varied in forms and functions: guides, brochures, websites, advertisements, press texts, leaflets, reviews, opinion journalism, speeches, interviews, etc.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance and satisfactory performance in class, systematic and timely preparation of homework analyses and translation exercises; conscientious work in class, including involvement in analytical and/or translation tasks; satisfactory performance at mid-semester control tests and the final test.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Term 2026L: | Term 2024L: | Term 2025L: |
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
- knows the basic terminology related to text analysis, types of translation, translation
theory, translation techniques and strategies (K1_W02, K1_W05,
K1_W06, K1_W07, S1.1_W02, S1.1_W05, S1.1_W06)
- knows and understands the links between translation studies and text and discourse analysis (K1_W06, K1_W07, S1.1_W09)
- has knowledge of the methods and applications of discourse analysis for translation purposes (K1_W06, K1_W07, S1.1_W09)
- has a general understanding of the cultural and linguistic differences and socio-economic realities of language areas A and B (K1_W11, K1_W12)
- is familiar with the basic types of written translation, has knowledge of written translation as a process, and knows and is able to recognise the role of the translator in the act of communication (K1_W11, K1_W12, K1_W07)
SKILLS
- is able to conduct a multifaceted analysis of the source text and identify the most important translation issues (K1_U10, S1.1_U04)
- is able to identify the target audience of a translation and apply translation techniques appropriate to their needs and the client's requirements (K1_U10, S1.1_U06)
- is able to critically analyse texts as cultural products (K1_U01)
- is able to recognise and interpret cultural and socio-historical elements present in the text (K1_U03)
- is able to appropriately apply knowledge and methods of discourse analysis for the purposes of translation and translation analysis (K1_U06, S1.1_U01)
- is able to search for, analyse, evaluate and select authentic texts in a foreign language (K1_U10, K1_U06)
- has the ability to argue and independently formulate conclusions orally (K1_U04).
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
- takes cultural differences into account in their work as a translator (S1.1_K06, K1_K03, K1_K04)
- has a habit of identifying and resolving interlingual communication dilemmas caused by the asymmetry of language systems and cultural differences (K1_K01, K1_K03, K1_K04)
- is able to critically assess their own translation skills (S1.1_K04, K1_K02)
- recognises the specific communication needs of people with disabilities (S1.1_K05)
- adheres to ethical behaviour patterns in their actions (K1_K01, K1_K03, K1_K04)
Assessment criteria
Credit is given on basis of: grades for particular assignments; continuous assessment (on basis of attendance, preparedness for the classes, participation in the discussions, individually done translation work, mid-term written tests, final test, end-of-term translation assignment). Each requirement, if assigned, must be fulfilled independently, hence their share in the final mark is not determined.
The criteria of grading written assignments:
99% – 100 – 5!
98% – 91% – 5
90% – 86% – 4,5
85% – 76% – 4
75% – 71% – 3,5
70% – 60% – 3
below this level – 2 (unsatisfactory).
Two absences are allowed. (If the limit is exceeded, the student should ask the teacher for compensation assignments; if the number of absences exceeds 50%, the student fails the course in accordance with the Rules of Study)
Bibliography
Specified individually by particular teachers.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: