Essentials of translation (written intercultural mediation) – language B Russian, level 2 3200-L2-1PPPBR2
Essentials of translation: workshops, 30 hours
Direction of translation: B–A.
Student’s time investment: 30 class hours
About 30 hours of individual preparation
In sum: 60 hours, an equivalent of 2 ECTS points
The aim of the course, which is a continuation of PPP level 1, is for the students to further acquire and develop basic skills in the translation of non-literary, non-specialist texts concerning the above-mentioned topics.
COURSE CONTENT:
1. Translator’s essential skills (assessing suitability of information, methods of working with dictionaries, encyclopaedias etc.; data search and data quality evaluation; application of parallel and analogous texts) – continuation;
2. Techniques and strategies of translation (paraphrasing, syntactic transformations on sentence and paragraph level, appropriate use of word order as an indicator of the theme-rheme structure, maintaining cohesion) – skill development;
3. Verifying collocations, using text corpora, etc. – continuation;
4. Ways of rendering various types of texts, registers, styles and their markers (a practical approach) – continuation;
5. Basic skills in the pragmatics of translation – defining the target readership and their needs within the specific situation – taught at a more advanced level;
7. Selected specific problems of Polish-Russian translational confrontation, e.g. non-equivalent vocabulary, proper names in languages A and B, honorific forms, transcription and transliteration, declension of proper names, elements of third language and third culture in translation – continuation;
8. Text revision and proofreading – continuation;
9. Editorial requirements – continuation.
FORMS OF WORK:
Examples: individual translation (at home or in class) and discussion on different solutions; consulting parallel or analogous texts and other resources; error identification and correction in one’s own work; exercises preventing interference, exercises enhancing text cohesion and coherence; glossary work; project work (team work).
If classroom learning is impossible, the workshop will be conducted with the help of distance communication tools, most probably Google Meet and others recommended by the University.
METHODS OF WORK:
Examples: discussion, group work, individual work, presentations, project work, etc.
SUBJECT MATTER OF TEXTS TO BE TRANSLATED:
political/economic/social matters, culture, geography/tourism
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance, satisfactory performance in class, systematic preparation of translations assigned for the class, timely submission of (at least satisfactory) translations of all assigned texts and completing other tasks including, if required, an end-of-term translation or contribution to project work; satisfactory performance at mid-semester control tests and the final test.
The form and conditions of resits are the same as those for course credits obtained at the usual time, unless it is impossible due to organizational reasons (in such a case, the form of obtaining the course credit may change).
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE:
On completing the course, at a level adequate for PPP semester 3, the student:
- is aware of basic types of translation, has a certain knowledge of translation (written intercultural mediation) as a process, is familiar with and recognizes the role of the translator in an act of communication;
- is aware of the complex nature of the translation process and how its understanding evolved over time;
- knows basic terminology connected with translation, with particular reference to translation types, translation theory, translation strategies and techniques;
- knows and understands basic translation skills, is familiar with various strategies and techniques of translation and understands their specific character;
- understands the necessity of self-education and deepening one’s translational knowledge;
- knows and understands ethical principles of the translator’s profession;
- is aware of the conditions of the translator's work on the market (in a broad outline).
SKILLS:
The student:
- is able to provide a satisfactory rendition of a text from the above-mentioned fields, the difficulty of the text corresponds with the educational stage in question;
- can use various sources, dictionaries, parallel texts, accurately assesses their suitability for locating translational equivalents;
- can determine the target reader of the translation and apply translation techniques adequate for the needs of the reader and the requirements of the client;
- is able to use a variety of translation techniques and strategies;
- can correctly determine intercultural differences in the text and takes them into account when translating;
- can accurately justify his or her translational choices;
- is capable of metatranslational reflection, is able to assess his or her own translation solutions as well as the ones applied by others, can relate them to various translation theories and paradigms; can appreciate manifestations of translator’s creativity;
- is able to search out, analyze, assess and select authentic parallel texts;
- has an advanced command of the rules of correct Polish and applies them in his or her translation work.
SOCIAL COMPETENCE:
The student:
- is able to critically assess his or her own translation skills and to consult an expert in a given field when necessary;
- appreciates the importance of reasoned argumentation in solving practical difficulties (such as a translator faces in professional contexts);
- strives to observe ethical principles of the translation profession and the established good practices;
- is able to act as a mediator in intercultural communication;
- is ready to effectively identify and solve the dilemmas of interlingual communication which are caused by the asymmetries of different language systems and by cultural differences, working in compliance with ethical principles and – if necessary – consulting an expert;
- is prepared for cooperation and teamwork; assumes varied roles in a team, including the role of linguistic and cultural mediator;
- supervised by the teacher, is ready to manage teamwork and accepts responsibility for its results;
- supervised by the teacher, is prepared to manage a small translation project – a project simulation in the didactic environment.
Assessment criteria
Grades for particular assignments; continuous assessment (on the basis of regular attendance, preparation for the class, participation in class discussions, individual translation work, mid-term written tests, final written 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 each teacher.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: