Specialized Translation in the Linguistic Combination Spanish-Polish: medical texts (Traducción especializada en la combinación lingüística español-polaco: textos médicos) 3305-PSHPM-U
Participation in the course will enable students to become acquainted with the characteristics of selected basic texts in the fields of medicine and clinical research, both in Polish and in Spanish. During the classes, students will become familiar with fundamental terminological and stylistic issues that distinguish Spanish and Polish medical documents. Throughout the semester, they will also complete translations of selected texts (or excerpts) related to medicine and clinical research. Working on these translations—both in small groups and individually—will allow students to confront challenges typically encountered by translators of specialized texts within the relevant domain.
Due to the specific nature of the course (work with parallel texts and bidirectional translation), classes will be conducted in both Spanish and Polish.
Upon completing the course, students will possess basic knowledge of the issues involved in specialized translation in the field of medicine and clinical research between Spanish and Polish, as well as fundamental preparation for undertaking professional translation tasks in this area.
PROGRAM FRAMEWORK
(The following program framework is indicative; depending on the group’s preferences, skills, and progress, the scope of topics covered may be subject to change.)
1. Discussion and comparison of terminology appearing in Polish and Spanish medical documents (e.g., patient records, hospital discharge summaries, expert medical opinions prepared for judicial purposes).
2. Vocabulary and exercises related to conducting a medical interview with a patient.
3. Basic information on clinical trials — specificity of translation.
4. Vocabulary and translation exercises concerning documentation related to the conduct of clinical trials:
a) Clinical Trial Agreement — analysis of parallel texts and development of translation skills.
b) Opinions issued by bioethics committees — analysis of Spanish documents and enhancement of translation competence into Polish.
c) Informed Consent Form — analysis of parallel texts and development of translation skills.
d) Other documents related to the conduct of clinical trials — improvement of translation competence into both Polish and Spanish.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
The student knows and understands:
- the subject-specific and methodological characteristics of specialized translation in the Spanish–Polish language pair, particularly in the field of medicine and clinical research, and is able to develop this knowledge creatively and apply it in professional practice, demonstrating familiarity with selected terminology in both Polish and Spanish (K_W01 / S1K_W01);
- the connections between linguistic features of specialized texts in the areas of medicine and clinical research in Polish and Spanish and other disciplines within the humanities and social sciences (K_W02 / S1K_W02);
- basic concepts and principles related to the protection of intellectual property and copyright, as well as the necessity of managing intellectual property resources in the context of specialized translation (K_W03 / S1K_W03);
- scientific and cultural phenomena related to issues of specialized translation in Poland and Spanish-speaking countries, and possesses in-depth knowledge of the links between new research and trends in the translation of selected medical and clinical-research-related texts (K_W04 / S1K_W04);
- the terminology, theory, and methodology relevant to the translation of texts concerning fundamental issues in medicine and the conduct of clinical trials within the Spanish–Polish language pair (K_W05 / S1K_W05);
- contemporary achievements of academic centres and research schools in selected areas of specialized translation, particularly medical and clinical-research-related texts (K_W06 / S1K_W06).
SKILLS
The Sraduate is able to:
- apply acquired research skills in practice, including the critical analysis of texts in the field of medicine and clinical research in Polish and Spanish, enabling original solutions to complex translation problems of a stylistic, terminological, or syntactic nature (K_U01 / S1K_U01);
- independently acquire knowledge in the field of specialized translation of medical texts and texts related to the conduct of clinical trials, expand research skills, and undertake autonomous actions aimed at developing competencies and managing their own professional career as a translator of such texts (K_U02 / S1K_U02);
- use acquired language skills to comprehend and produce oral and written texts employing specialized terminology relevant to medical and clinical-research topics (K_U03 / S1K_U03).
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
The Student is prepared to:
- collaborate within a group, assuming various roles associated with the process of translating specialized texts (K_K01 / S1K_K01);
- critically assess their own knowledge and skills, and understands the need for continuous improvement and professional development (K_K02 / S1K_K02).
Assessment criteria
The course is conducted in a workshop format. Students will become familiar with basic terminology used in documents related to medicine and clinical research, which a specialized translator in this field may encounter. They will also be introduced to selected original texts concerning medical and clinical research topics.
These tasks will be carried out individually or in pairs, and the results will subsequently be discussed within the group.
Course assessment is based on the following criteria:
1. Active participation in classes – 20%
2. Ongoing preparation for classes (homework) and quizzes (covering the vocabulary currently discussed) – 40%
3. Final test (assessing mastery of the specialized vocabulary covered during the course and the ability to apply it in practice) – 40%
TWO UNEXCUSED ABSENCES ARE PERMITTED.
Practical placement
Not applicable
Bibliography
BOLAÑOS-MEDINA, A. (2012). “The key role of the translation of clinical trial protocols in the university training of medical translators”. Journal of Specialised Translation. 17. 18-36.
BRODNIEWICZ, T (ED.) 2022. Badania kliniczne. CeDeWu.
CLARK, María Luisa (2008). «“A río revuelto...” o la traducción del protocolo de un ensayo clínico y sus meandros». Panace@. 9 (28). 4-7.
FÉLIX FERNÁNDEZ, L, ORTEGA ARJONILLA, E. (eds.) (1998). Traducción e interpretación en el ámbito biosanitario. Comares.
JAKUBOWSKI, BRONISŁAW K. (2010). Słownik medyczny hiszpańsko-polski. Medipage.
KANANOWICZ, T. (2015). Przekład specjalistyczny: teoria vs. praktyka: (na materiale poradników dla tłumaczy) / Tatiana Siniawska-Sujkowska. W Rocznik Przekładoznawczy: studia nad teorią, praktyką i dydaktyką przekładu. [https://apcz.umk.pl/RP/article/view/RP.2015.012/5291]
KARDYNI, M. A., ROGOZIŃSKI P. (2013). Słownik medyczny polsko-hiszpański. Dr Lex.
WERONIECKI, T. (2019). Słownik terminologii medycznej hiszpańsko-polski. Rea.
KARWACKA, W. (2016) Przekład tekstów medycznych: normy, standardy i problemy. Gdańsk, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego
KUŹNIK, A., PODLEŚNY, B. (2014) Documentos españoles. Recopilación para traductores y otros profesionales de lengua. Warszawa, Wydawnictwo Translegis.
JAKUBOWSKI, BRONISŁAW K. (2010). Słownik medyczny hiszpańsko-polski. Medipage.
KARDYNI, M. A., ROGOZIŃSKI P. (2013). Słownik medyczny polsko-hiszpański. Dr Lex.
MARTÍNEZ NIETO, C. (COORD.) (2010). Ensayos clínicos en España: ética, normativa, metodología y aspectos prácticos. Master Line & Prodigio S.A.
SALADRIGAS, M.V.; NAVARRO, F. A.; MUNOA, L.; MUGÜERZA PECKER, P. A. ; VILLEGAS, Á. (2008). “Glosario EN-ES de ensayos clínicos (1.ª parte: A-M)”. Panace@. Revista de Medicina, Lenguaje y Traducción. 9 (27). 8-54. https://www.tremedica.org/wp-content/uploads/n27_tradyterm-saladrigasetal.pdf [09.11.2025].
SALADRIGAS, M.V.; NAVARRO, F. A.; MUNOA, L.; MUGÜERZA PECKER, P. A. ; VILLEGAS, Á. (2008). “Glosario EN-ES de ensayos clínicos (2.ª parte: N-Z)”. Panace@. Revista de Medicina, Lenguaje y Traducción.. 9 (28). 107-141. https://www.tremedica.org/wp-content/uploads/n28_tradyterm-saladrigasycleo.pdf [09.11.2025].
YETANO LAGUNA, J.; ALBEROLA CUÑAT, V. (s.f.). Diccionario de siglas médicas y otras abreviaturas, epónimos y términos médicos relacionados con la codificación de las altas hospitalarias. Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. http://www.redsamid.net/archivos/201612/ diccionario-de-siglas-medicas.pdf?0 [09.11.2025].
Źródła (dokumenty) internetowe:
- Dziennik Ustaw Rzeczpospolitej Polskiej: http://dziennikustaw.gov.pl/du/1982/s/17/127
- Boletín Oficial de Estado: http://boe.es/diario_boe/
- Documento único europeo de contratación: https://ec.europa.eu/tools/espd?lang=es
- Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios: https://www.aemps.gob.es/
- Urząd Rejestracji Produktów Leczniczych, Wyrobów Medycznych i Produktów Biobójczych:
http://urpl.gov.pl/pl
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: