Introduction to CAT language B - English 3200-L3-1CATBA

In particular, students will be familiarized with such functionalities as:
- graphical interface of the program
- translation memory
- termbase
- translation editor
- project settings and personalization
- translation quality control (QA)

Student’s workload: 30 class hours and 20 hours of individual work (50 hours in total), which corresponds to 2 ECTS.

Direction of translation: A to B and B to A.

For a detailed range of topics, see the description at the workshop group level.

Teaching methods: translation in the CAT programs during classes; translation at home in the exported file in the two-column rtf format and importing the translation back to the project for checks and approval, preparing vocabulary and glossary development at home, practicing using the program, discussion about the finished project.

Term 2024Z:

The aim of the course is to acquire rudimentary theoretical knowledge, as well as basic practical skills, about selected Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools used in the translation market (especially MemoQ and Trados), and to understand their architecture and functionalities. The aim is also to develop translation skills by translating short (specialised and non-specialised) written texts from English into Polish and from Polish into English using both open-source tools (such as OmegaT or Wordfast anywhere) and licenced software (mainly MemoQ and SDL Trados).

Subjects covered:
1) types of CAT tools and their main caracteristics
2) creating a translation project
3) creating and using translation memories
4) creating and using glossaries and term bases
5) quality assurance
6) alignment tool and external tools
7) using concordance
8) machine translation and post-editing
9) translation project management
10) other useful information

Student workload:
- 30 contact hours (in-class) (1 ECTS)
- 30 hours of self-study work (1 ECTS)
- total: 60 hrs (2 ECTS)

Term 2025Z:

Student workload:
- 30 contact hours (in-class) (1 ECTS)
- 30 hours of self-study work (1 ECTS)
- total: 60 hrs (2 ECTS)

Term 2026Z:

Student workload:
- 30 contact hours (in-class) (1 ECTS)
- 30 hours of self-study work (1 ECTS)
- total: 60 hrs (2 ECTS)

Type of course

obligatory courses

Prerequisites (description)

Knowledge of the Polish language on C2 level, knowledge of the English language on B2+ level, achieving the learning outcomes of the course "Essentials of translation (written intercultural mediation) - level 2" [3200-L2-1PPPBA2].

Course coordinators

Term 2025Z:

Anna Janus
Anna Lewoc

Term 2024Z:

Anna Janus
Anna Lewoc

Term 2026Z:

Anna Janus

Mode

Classroom

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the
student:

KNOWLEDGE
- has knowledge of translation using CAT tools (K1_W01, K1_W02, K1_W07, K1_W11, K1_W12)
- knows and understands the basics of the craft of a translator using CAT tools, knows the translation strategies and techniques used in computer-assisted translation (understands their specifics) (K1_U05, K1_U10, K1_U11, K1_U12, K1_U13)
- has basic knowledge of contemporary CAT tools, knows their advantages and limitations (K1_W06, K1_W15)
- is familiar with the principles of professional ethics for translators in the context of using CAT tools (K1_W09, K1_W13)
- is familiar with the basic principles of working as a translator using CAT tools in various forms of entrepreneurship (freelance, translation agencies, etc.) (K1_W16)

SKILLS
- when translating with CAT tools, is able to use sources, dictionaries and parallel texts, making an adequate assessment of their usefulness in searching for translation equivalents (K1_U01, K1_U02, K1_U05, K1_U06, K1_U08, K1_U10)
- is able to analyse the source text, identifying the most important translation problems typical for translation using CAT tools (K1_U01, K1_U03, K1_U10)
- is able to produce a professional- quality translation of a non- specialist text from a foreign language into Polish and from Polish into a foreign language using CAT tools (K1_U03, K1_U05, K1_U06, K1_U07, K1_U08, K1_U09, K1_U10, K1_U12, K1_U13)

SOCIAL COMPETENCES
- be ready to plan an individual translation project requiring the use of CAT tools (K1_K02, K1_K03, K1_K04, K1_K07),
- is able to collaborate in a group and work remotely using CAT tools (K1_K05, K1_K06, K1_K07)
- performs their tasks in accordance with the professional ethics of a translator and good professional practice (K1_K06, K1_U07).

Assessment criteria

Continuous assessment (attendance control, preparation for classes, activities and translations performed individually, both in class and at home), mid-semester written tests and/or final written test. Each requirement, if assigned, must be fulfilled independently; their share in the final grade is thus not determined.

Detailed requirements and evaluation criteria are determined by each instructor in a particular course cycle.

Grading scale:
- 99-100% - 5!
- 91-98% - 5
- 86-90% - 4.5
- 76-85% - 4
- 71-75% - 3.5
- 60-70% - 3
- less than 60% - 2 (failing grade)

Allowed number of absences: 2 absences per semester.

If technically possible, retake takes place in the same form as the first attempt.

Bibliography

Literature will be given by each instructor in the specific syllabus and in the specific course cycle.

Term 2024Z:

None (students are not required to read any compulsory literature do to the practical nature of the course).

Term 2025Z:

None (students are not required to read any compulsory literature do to the practical nature of the course).

Term 2026Z:

None (students are not required to read any compulsory literature do to the practical nature of the course).

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3200-L3-1CATBA in USOSweb