The Translation Profession
| Module title | The Translation Profession |
|---|---|
| Module code | SMLM153 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Richard Mansell (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 5 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
Translation is a global industry, and successful translators are aware that they need much more than a pen, paper, and a dictionary. In this module you will explore the tools a translator uses and possible future paths for the translation industry, including practices of localisation and the role of increasingly present machine translation tools. You will analyse the different roles translators are called upon to perform, including project management tasks, and how software tools can complement these; in particular you will learn to use Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools through a series of structured workshops, to create your own translation project.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Professional translators are now expected to be familiar with a lot more than just translation in the traditional sense, which is the representation of natural language strings. This module aims to familiarise you with the role of IT tools in translation, in particular the use and suitability of translation memory systems. You will develop a detailed understanding of how to evaluate and apply such systems to a variety of text types.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the translation and localisation industry and components of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 2. Evaluate and apply software tools useful to translators and to edit and prepare documentation for professional purposes
- 3. Identify and analyse complex issues and present them orally and in writing
- 4. Demonstrate independent critical approaches to the material and an understanding of a range of translational concepts and terminology
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Produce, to deadline, a complex written argument of an advanced academic nature
- 6. Evaluate a software product and present the results of this evaluation to a professional standard
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- The modern profession. CAT tools, MT vs. TM, tools available, localisation
- Workflow with CAT tools and dealing with different file types
- Using simple and open-source CAT tools
- Translating single documents with advanced CAT tools
- Creating, translating and managing projects with complex CAT tools
- Terminological databases and proprietary features of complex CAT tools
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 140 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | Seminars |
| Guident Independent Study | 140 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation of CAT tool tasks | 10-15 minutes | 1-6 | Oral from peers, oral from tutor. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of essays and practical tasks on the translation profession | 100 | 3000 words in total | 1-6 | Written (on proforma) |
| 0 | ||||
| 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 essays and practical tasks on the translation profession | Portfolio of essays and practical tasks on the translation profession | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Austermuhl, Frank, Electronic Tools for Translators, Manchester, St Jerome, 2001
- Gouadec, Daniel, Translation as a pProfession. Amsterdam and Philadelphia, John Benjamins, 2007
- Robinson, Douglas, Becoming a Translator, 3rd edition, Abingdon, Routledge, 2012
- Samuelsson-Brown, Geoffrey, A Practical Guide for Translators, 5th edition, Bristol, Multilingual Matters, 2010
- Somers, Harold (ed.) Computers and Translation. A Translator's Guide. Amsterdam and Philadelphia, John Benjamins, 2003
- Manuals for Trados, OmegaT, Wordfast Anywhere and other software
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE:https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=12064
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 30/11/2016 |
| Last revision date | 10/05/2021 |
