Literature and Translation: Arabic/English Perspectives and Practice
| Module title | Literature and Translation: Arabic/English Perspectives and Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA3202 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Christina Phillips (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module combines study of Arabic/English literary and cultural translation with hands-on translation practice. You will be introduced to key translation methods and explore the particular challenges posed by translation from Arabic into English. Focusing on literary texts, you will explore issues such as power, orientalism, gender, style and creativity in the context of translation, and how literature functions to translate culture and difference. Practical translation is an essential component of the module and you will practise translating across a variety of literary texts in class and for homework. Translation projects will be published online where possible.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to introduce you to the field of literary and cultural translation; to familiarise you with the challenges and pitfalls of literary translation from Arabic to English; to equip you with the tools to critically analyse a translation; and to give you basic practical training in literary translation.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Translate a literary text from Arabic to English and critically analyse the process
- 2. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and contextual understanding of Arabic/English literary translation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate sound knowledge of the methods and challenges of literary translation
- 4. Demonstrate nuanced and critical understanding of the intersections between translation, power, gender and creativity
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. demonstrate communication and presentation skills, the ability to work in groups, and competency in handling complex and varying material
- 6. work independently, retrieve, sift and integrate primary and secondary sources, construct coherent arguments, write lucidly, and apply research and bibliographic skills
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Arabic/English literary translation: survey of the field
The role of the translator
Methods and challenges
Orientalism and translation
Poetry and translation
Translation and gender
Cultural translation
Publishers, prizes and the politics of translation
Practice, practice, practice
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour classes |
| Guided independent study | 64 | Research and class prep |
| Guided independent study | 64 | Completing assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal presentation of translation (individual or group) | 15 mins | 1-5 | Verbal feedback from peers and teacher |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 0 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of translation (Arabic-to-English) + critical analysis | 90 | 3500 words (40/60% translation/analysis) | 1-4, 6 | Full written (verbal on request) |
| Seminar participation | 10 | 11 x 2hr | 1-5 | Oral in class |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of translation | Portfolio of translation (3500 words) | 1-4, 6 | Full written (verbal on request) |
| Seminar participation | See note | 1-5 | See note |
Re-assessment notes
There is no reassessment for seminar participation: in the event of referral or deferral in the summative, the original mark for seminar participation is carried forward.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Useful texts
Baker, Mona. In Other Words (London: Routledge, 1992).
Translation and Conflict: A Narrative Account (London and New York: Routledge,2006).
Critical Readings in Translation Studies (London and New York: Routledge, 2010).
Cronin, Michael. Translation and Globalization (London: Routledge, 2003).
Dickins, James, et al. Thinking Arabic Translation (London: Routledge, 2002).
Hatim, Basil. English–Arabic–English Translation: A Practical Text-Linguistic Guide (London, 1997).
Husni Ronak, and Daniel L Newman, Arabic-English-Arabic Translation: Issues and Strategies (Routledge, 2015).
Landers, Clifford. Literary Translation, A Practical Guide (Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 2001).
Lefevere, André and Susan Bassnet, Translation, History, and Culture (Cassell, 1995)
Munday, Jeremy. Translation Studies: Theories and Application 4th edn. (Routledge, 2016)
Simon, Sherry and Paul St Pierre,. Changing the Terms. Translating in the Postcolonial Era (Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press (2000).
Tymoczkom Maria and Edwin Gentzler (eds). Translation and Power (Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2002).
Weissbort, Daniel. Translating Poetry: The Double Labyrinth (Iowa: University of Iowa Press, 1989)
Wright, Chantal. Literary Translation. London and New York: Routledge, 2016.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | ARA2139 Intermediate Arabic Language II or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Last revision date | 11/03/2019 |
