LA043-4-FY-CO:
Concepts of Translation and Cultural Mediation
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
03 May 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(LA140 or LA240 or LA340 or LA440 or LA640) and (LA142 or LA242 or LA342 or LA442 or LA642)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA Q911 Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation,
BA Q912 Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation (Including Foundation Year)
This module explores translation and interpreting through the lens of intercultural communication, emphasizing the role of culture in different text genres. Students will develop skills in discerning and translating cultural nuances, enhancing their decision-making in translation. The course also delves into the concept of mediation as a tool for understanding and conveying meanings between communicators, making it a valuable course for those keen on mastering intercultural translation and interpreting techniques.
The aims of this module are:
- To prepare students to grow awareness of accuracy in text and speech analysis and production.
- To provide students with an awareness of the multiple dimensions of meaning of written texts (both in English and in the foreign language), representing different genres and text types.
- To introduce students to interpreters’ strategies and the skills needed to listen actively and analytically in order to memorise, summarise, interpret and communicate effectively.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Present and speak in public in both source and target languages
- Write summaries and short essays
- Analyse oral and written text in order to track main and sub ideas, implications and draw inferences
- Translate and interpret texts pertaining to genres of general interest (media, promotional)
- Reflect on context, purpose, target audience and style of texts
- Demonstrate competency in commenting succinctly on translation choices
- Listen actively and analytically, memorise short statements, predict the flow of argument, summarise and condense, use formal expression, and facilitate communication effectively in both source and target languages.
- Address the links between language, culture and intercultural communication
- Demonstrate culturally sensitive responses to intercultural mediation issues
Syllabus Information
The practical sessions on translation and interpreting will be informed by examples taken from selected sources. In particular we will focus on the following:
- Introduction to interpreting
- Introduction to cultural mediation
- Introduction to translation theory
- Translation and interpreting product and process
- Translation as a creative process
- Equivalence and equivalent effect
- Strategies and procedures
- Speaking in public
- Discourse analysis applied to translation as intercultural communication
- Conflict and translation: misconstruals of meaning
- Achieving understanding through an interpreter
- Addressing stereotypes, prejudice and (un)conscious discrimination in intercultural communication
This module will be delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars and hands-on practical classes, alternating between the different skills.
- 1 hour lecture (English)
- 2 hours of practical seminars (language specific)
The practical sessions on translation and interpreting will be informed by the lectures content.
Self-study: about 6 hours per week additional regular independent study and practice essential. This module requires a strong commitment to independent reading and translation.
Emphasis is on the development of practical skills together with the reflection on underlying issues.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Quiz 1 |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 2 |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 3 |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Presentation 1 |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Presentation 2 |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Open Book Test 1 |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Open Book Test 2 |
|
25% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Ignazia Posadinu, email: ignazia.posadinu@essex.ac.uk.
Ignazia Posadinu, Lexa Olivera Smith, Dr Laetitia Vedrenne, Christopher Da Silva, Chiara Fiori, Antonio Da Silva, Natalia Rodriguez, Claudia Alsdorf
Ms Ignazia Posadinu, iposad@essex.ac.uk, Office: 4.320a, Number: x2239.
No
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can
be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements,
industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist
of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules.
The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.