| Unit name | Theories and Practice of Literary Translation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0087 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Kosick |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides students of translation and intercultural studies with the opportunity to gain hands-on, practice- based experience in literary translation and familiarity with the history of literary translation and the ways it has been conceptualized. Theoretical readings situate literary translation theory as an interdiscipline that both draws on and contributes to other disciplines, examining indicative topics such as philosophies of translation, translation as a creative practice, translation and power, translation as it relates to identity and positionality, and nontranslation.
Coursework supports you to apply research, linguistic, analytic, creative, and editorial skills learned across the programme, honing these skills through the translation of individually-selected texts and structured exercises in peer feedback. You will be able to explore a range of literary text types including narrative fiction, poetry, and literary nonfiction. You will read examples of translations into these and other indicative genres by professional translators and receive specific instruction on producing vibrant exciting translations of elements such as dialogue, idioms, and form. By enrolling on this unit, you will develop your understanding and practice of literary translation and generate a portfolio of sample translations that can be used to pursue real-world publication opportunities beyond the MA.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit builds on foundational skills learned students have learned in their required units for the Translation and Intercultural Studies MA. It allows you to develop greater specialization with theories of literary and greater specialization with literary translation practices. The unit is also open to other students across the ASSL faculty who have advanced or native ability in English and an additional language and who are interested in developing their knowledge of literary translation and its theorization.
An overview of content
You will learn about and practice translating a new text each week, working in a variety of genres throughout the unit. You will submit your own creative translations, along with literal/interlinear translations. You will also read the translations of other students, providing structured peer support and feedback to your fellow translators. For all genres, you will also read examples of published literary translations, learning from published translators both strategies for translating and practical considerations such as venues for publication and editorial considerations.
You will learn practical techniques relevant to different translation challenges while tailoring your learning to your own interests and creative aspirations. Alongside the practice-based elements, you will read theoretical texts related to the approaches, aims, techniques, and challenges of literary translation as well the broader situation of literary translation and its ethical, agential, and political stakes. You will critically engage with challenging theoretical texts and consider the utility of theory for understanding and/or practicing literary translation.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will gain confidence and agility as a translator and creative practitioner and will develop an aptitude for working collaboratively and responding with resilience to constructive feedback. You will gain a deeper understanding of the literary translation marketplace and be able to identify opportunities for personal and professional growth. You will also be able to identify theoretical principles in-use by real-world translators and link theoretical and practice-based reflections on the discipline of literary translation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
1. Consider and critically engage with the norms and expectations of different literary genres as they relate to translation.
2. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, demonstrating an awareness of literary devices and features as they relate to translation.
3. Evaluate the relative merits of different approaches to translation and the appropriateness of particular theories for specific translation contexts.
4. Interact effectively with others, in team or group-work, and identify the benefit of giving and receiving feedback on the translation process.
You will learn through independent and tutor-supported study, practice-based production of literary translations, analytical identification of translation challenges, preparation for real-world publication opportunities, peer- feedback, and collaborative work. You are expected to engage with the reading and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
The unit’s practical tasks, outlined below under “How you will learn,” are each geared towards a skill or deliverable that is relevant to your assessed portfolio.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
3,000-word (or equivalent for poetry or other non-prose genres) creative-critical translation and theoretical reflection portfolio (100%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0087).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
