Conducted in term: 2025L

Erasmus code: 09.0

ISCED code: 0231

ECTS credits: 2

Language: Spanish

Organized by: Institute of Applied Linguistics (for: University of Warsaw)

Related to study programmes:

Translating imagination: creative translation workshop 3201-TWPK-OG

Translating imagination: creative translation workshop. Translation direction: B/C–A

Student workload:

Classes: 30 hours.

Independent preparation for classes: approx. 30 hours.

Total: approx. 60 hours,

which corresponds to 2 ECTS points.

The aim of the course is to provide students with basic knowledge, skills and competences in the field of non-specialist text translation. The texts used in class will come from the fields of literature and new media. Genres such as fairy tales, short stories and memes will be covered. Translation direction: B/C–A.

MAIN CONTENT OF THE COURSE:

1. Creative translator's workshop

Assessing the usefulness of information and critical use of sources (dictionaries, encyclopaedias, terminology databases, online resources); searching for cultural and stylistic information; analysing and using parallel and analogous texts characteristic of literature and new media.

2. Creative translation techniques and strategies

Paraphrasing and recontextualising content; syntactic transformations at the sentence and paragraph level; conscious use of word order as a vehicle for meaning, style and rhythm; use of cohesive devices appropriate to specific genres.

3. Verification of combinability and use of corpora

Checking the naturalness of lexical combinations; working with language corpora; evaluation of collocations typical of creative genres and their stylistic function.

4. Rendering register, style and genre conventions

Practical ways of translating style, tone, humorous and rhythmic effects; adapting the genre features of literary and multimodal texts; preserving or creatively compensating for the stylistic devices of the original.

5. Fundamental problems of creative translation pragmatics

Identifying the target audience and their needs; recognising the communicative function of the text; adapting the translation to the cultural and communicative context.

6. Selected issues of Polish-Spanish confrontation in creative translation

Non-equivalent lexicon, proper names and their adaptation, forms of address and politeness; transliteration and transcription; declension of proper names; the presence of a third language and a third culture in literary and media texts and ways of transferring them in translation.

7. Verification and correction of creative translations

Editing and self-editing of translations; recognising factual, pragmatic, stylistic and cultural errors; using feedback and support tools.

8. Editorial standards for translations

Basics of text formatting, rules for preparing a translation for publication and presentation; application of editorial conventions when working with different types of texts.

FORMS OF WORK:

For example: creative development of translations (at home or during classes) and joint discussion of the solutions adopted; experimenting with text in individual and group work; comparing originals with parallel or analogous texts; identifying and creatively correcting errors in one's own translations; exercises limiting interference and supporting the construction of a coherent, fluent text; preparing glossaries as tools to support creative translation decisions.

If it is not possible to conduct classes in person, they will be held using remote communication tools, most likely Zoom or Google Meet, and others recommended by the University of Warsaw.

WORKING METHODS:

For example: discussion, group work, individual work, presentations, translation projects, others.

TEXT TOPICS:

literary, cultural, social

REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSING:

Attendance and participation in classes, systematic preparation of translations for classes, participation in team work, timely completion of satisfactory translations of designated texts and other tasks, including the semester translation.

Resit examinations take place in the same form and under the same conditions as regular examinations, unless this is not possible for organisational reasons (in which case the form of the examination may change).

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

Knowledge of Polish language (A) at a level close to native, and a foreign language (B/C) at a level higher than B2, close to C1.

Course coordinators

Aleksandra Połeć

Learning outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

A. Knowledge

After completing the course, the student:

1. Is familiar with the basic concepts and theories of translating non-specialist texts, in particular literary texts and texts from new media.

2. Has knowledge of the linguistic, stylistic and cultural specificities of various creative genres.

3. Understands the basic strategies and techniques of literary and creative translation.

4. Know the basic principles of source text analysis in terms of function, audience and genre conventions.

5. Is aware of the limitations and possibilities associated with the transfer of cultural elements, humour, style and intertextuality.

B. Skills

After completing the course, the student:

1. Is able to analyse literary and media texts, identifying their function, tone, style and cultural elements relevant to the translation process.

2. Independently performs creative translation of short literary forms and new media materials in the C-A direction.

3. Selects appropriate translation strategies, justifies their decisions and adapts the translation to the needs of the recipient.

4. Creates target texts that preserve the function, style and artistic effect of the original, taking into account the cultural context.

5. Efficiently edits and corrects their own translations, using feedback and support tools (e.g. dictionaries, corpora).

6. Is able to creatively solve translation problems related to humour, neologisms, fantasy or multimodality.

C. Social competences

After completing the course, the student:

1. Is aware of the cultural and ethical responsibilities associated with translating creative texts.

2. Is able to accept constructive criticism and work in a group to analyse and improve translations.

3. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and openness to the cultural diversity present in source texts.

4. Is ready to independently expand their knowledge of literature, new media and creative translation strategies.

5. Understands the role of the translator as an intercultural mediator and be able to make reflective and justified translation decisions.

Assessment criteria

If the student does not meet the requirements for a passing grade, reassessment shall be completes using the criteria.

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 – fail grade).

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).

Practical placement

Not applicable

Bibliography

Bończa Bukowski, P. de, Heydel, M. (2009). Współczesne teorie przekładu : antologia / pod red. Piotra Bukowskiego i Magdy Heydel. Społeczny Instytut Wydawniczy Znak

Belczyk, A. (2014). Poradnik tłumacza. Bielsko-Biała: Wydawnictwo dla szkoły.

Hejwowski, K. (2004). Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria przekładu. Wydaw. Naukowe PWN.

Hurtado Albir, A. (2001). Traducción y traductología : introducción a la traductología.r. Catedra.

Nida, E. A. (2001). Contexts in translating. John Benjamins Pub. Co.

Wojtasiewicz, O. (1957). Wstęp do teorii tłumaczenia. Warszawa: Zakład im. Ossolińskich – Wydawnictwo Polskiej Akademii Nauk.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

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

Description of 3201-TWPK-OG in USOSweb