Translation as Literary and Creative Practice
| Module title | Translation as Literary and Creative Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | SMLM156 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Wenqian Zhang () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 5 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
Whereas much of a specialist translator’s task is about establishing the exact meaning of a text, the translator of the literary, artistic or media text is often faced with the opposite problem: what to do with a text that invites a multiplicity of meanings and interpretations? In this module you will explore issues of style, semantics, and interpretation that are specific to creative translation, how the specific literary and multimedia context of both source and translated text may influence the activity of translation, and how to translate literary and artistic texts effectively and imaginatively.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module introduces you to the particular translation challenges posed by creative and artistic translation, through a study of thought and criticism in this field, and through practical translation exercises. While the module focuses primarily on translation into English, there may be occasions for translation from English. You will practice translating across a range of literary genres and multimedia modes, and will have some freedom to choose the texts you would like to translate. Creative skills in writing are developed, as is an awareness of the realities of the literary and media translation profession.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify generic and stylistic features of literary and artistic source texts and offer solutions to their transfer into the target language
- 2. Show creativity in written language
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Develop expertise in literary and artistic translation, and justify both ethically and linguistically the chosen solution to translation problems
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Produce, to deadline, a substantial literary and artistic translation (written text) of a complex nature and present it to the required professional standards and with a commentary justifying their decisions
- 5. Demonstrate knowledge of the profession of literary and artistic translation and its publishing market
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:
- Principles and practice of literary and artistic translation
- Research for literary and other artistic translation
- Generic and Stylistic issues in literary and artistic translation
- Professional aspects of literary and artistic translation
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 15.5 | 134.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 (5 x 2 hours) | Applied language specific translation (or interpretation) workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 0.5 hours | Supervision for 1 literary translation project |
| Guided Independent study | 134.5 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of literary and creative translation tasks | 750 words | 1-5 | Written (on proforma) |
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 literary and creative translation tasks | 100 | 2750 words | 1-5 | 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 literary and creative translation tasks | Portfolio of literary and creative translation tasks | 1-5 | 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:
- Boase-Beier, Jean (2006). Stylistic Approaches to Translation (Manchester: St Jerome)
- Diaz Cintas, Jorge (2009). New Trends in Audiovisual Translation (Bristol/Buffalo/Toronto: Multilingual Matters)
- Hermans, Theo (2007). The Conference of the Tongues (Manchester: St. Jerome)
- Jin Di (2003). Literary Translation: Quest for Artistic Integrity (Manchester: St Jerome)
- Landers, Clifford E. (2001). Literary Translation, A Practical Guide (Clevedon: Multilingual Matters)
- Parks, Tim (2007). Translating Style, 2nd Edition (Manchester: St Jerome)
- Weissbort, Daniel (ed.) (1989). Translating Poetry: The Double Labyrinth (Iowa: University of Iowa Press)
- Wright, Chantal (2016). Literary Translation. London and New York: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| 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 | 14/01/2019 |
