Learning objectives
By improving their language knowledge and skills in text analysis as well as by studying the current translation theories, students will acquire advanced translation skills in the field of editorial translation from German into Italian and vice-versa.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of German language (at least B2).
Course unit content
text linguistics and translation studies
Full programme
The course includes a theoretical and a practical part. The theoretical part consists in the basics and analytical instruments supplied by text linguistics and translation studies, with particular regard to texts and translations for publishing purposes. The second part, which cannot be separated chronologically from the first, aims at putting into practice the acquired knowledge and working methods, through several examples and exercises on which students will draw for their written homework. These case studies will go through the whole translation process, from the comprehension and interpretation of the source text to the final revision.
Students must attend language assistants’ lessons as well. During these lessons they will train reading, listening, writing and speaking and they will also practice translation from Italian into German.
Non-attending students are requested to contact the teachers in due advance by e-mail or at office hours for counseling.
Bibliography
Fix, Ulla (2008), Texte und Textsorten: sprachliche, kommunikative und kulturelle Phänomene, Berlin: Frank & Timme, ISBN: 9783865961792
Nord, Christiane (2009), Textanalyse und Übersetzen. Theoretische Grundlagen, Methode und didaktische Anwendung einer übersetzungsrelevanten Textanalyse, Tübingen: Julius Groos Verlag.
Teaching methods
- lecture with students’ active participation
- individual training + training in small groups
- analysis of case studies
- text analysis and translation workshop
The lectures will be held in German.
Assessment methods and criteria
Assessment in 3 steps:
1) Written test that shall be passed before the oral one and check the students’ language skills (written and oral comprehension, writing) as well as the translation skills from Italian into German.
2) Written homework consisting in the commented translation (German-Italian) of a text chosen by the student (to be sent by e-mail at the latest one week before the oral test).
3) Oral test starting on the written homework and on the whole program
The language of the tests, including the written homework, is German, with the only exceptions of the translations from and into Italian.
Other information
Learning goals and targets:
Knowledge and understanding: students will be able to interact at least at a C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference. They will further be able to distinguish various text typologies and evaluate their cultural specificity, even in comparison to each other. They will finally learn the basics of the current translation theories, with particular regard to editorial translation.
Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to analyze complex texts under different perspectives and translate them in a pragmatically adequate manner, based on the destination of the target texts.
Making judgements: students will be able to critically discuss others’ and their own translation choices, selecting the best one for their situational context.
Communication skills: capacity to communicate fluently in oral and written German, effectively supporting their points of view with good argumentation.
Learning skills: through self-reflection, students learn how to autonomously improve more and more their language and translation skills.
