| Unit name | Theories of Translation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0005 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Carol O'Sullivan |
| 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 is a core unit underpinning the other units on your programme, particularly the practical units and the dissertation. The unit does not provide a ‘list of rules’ for how to translate, but instead introduces students to key concepts in translation theory and supports them to explore the relationship between theory and their own practice.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
You will draw on the concepts and theories presented in this unit in your other translation units, particularly units containing a practical translation element and in the final dissertation.
An overview of content
The unit will familiarise students with key aspects of the history of translation and its seminal role in Western culture, considering the different ways in which translation has been conceptualised as both process and product. It will introduce students to a range of theoretical approaches to translation and discuss the complex relationship(s) between the theory and the practice of translation. A structured reading programme and a series of tasks to prepare in advance of seminars will prepare students to contribute to regular seminar discussions. Topics will draw on a range of specific theoretical approaches to the study of translation, including descriptive, functionalist, sociological and cultural approaches. The unit will explore concepts such as equivalence, fidelity, skopos, multimodality, ethics, culture and the cultural turn, transcreation and localization.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
This unit is likely to challenge some of your received ideas about what translation theory is and what the relationship between translation theory and practice is. The unit enhances your understanding of what happens, and what is at stake, in the practice of translation.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will:
How you will learn
The unit combines pure and applied translation theory. It is structured around regular lectures and interactive seminars. Seminar discussions cover a range of key texts in the unit and a range of translation-related tasks, which can include carrying out translations to a specific brief and reflecting on them; finding examples of authentic translations in your familiar media environment to practice your research and analytical skills. You are encouraged to use the unit tutor’s tutorial hours to ask questions, discuss your assignment planning and deepen your understanding.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You are asked to choose a theoretical topic for the presentation in groups. You are asked to choose a suitable text for the translation analysis individually. Choice of topics is supported by the tutor in each case.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Group presentation, 10 minutes (40%) [ILOs 1, 3, 4] Students work in groups of 2 or 3 to develop a presentation on one of a selection of theories covered in the unit.
Case study, 2,500 words (60%) [ILOs 1 to 3] Students will apply a theoretical model to an existing translated text (students will be allowed to choose the text type and translation for analysis, subject to the tutor’s formal approval).
When assessment does not go to plan
Students must achieve a pass mark (50%) in the unit to be awarded as pass. Where a student has achieved a near-pass (45-49%), they will usually be permitted to resubmit the assignment for a capped mark of 50%. Resubmission for a full range of marks may also be permitted due to Exceptional Circumstances.
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. MODLM0005).
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.
