University of Essex

LA043-4-FY-CO:
Concepts of Translation and Cultural Mediation

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Language and Linguistics

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Undergraduate: Level 4

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 27 June 2025

Credits: 30

Last updated: 02 September 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (LA140 or LA240 or LA340 or LA440 or LA640) and (LA142 or LA242 or LA342 or LA442 or LA642)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA Q911 Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation,
BA Q912 Modern Languages Translation, Interpreting and Cultural Mediation (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

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.

Module aims

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.

Module learning outcomes

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

Module information

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

Learning and teaching methods

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.

Bibliography

Jeremy Munday (2009) The Routledge Companion to Translation Studies. Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=380868&ppg=89&pq-origsite=primo.
Translating Cultures: An Introduction for Translators, Interpreters and Mediators (2014). Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315759692.
Candlin, C.N. and Gotti, M. (eds) (2008) Intercultural Aspects of Specialized Communication. 2nd ed. Peter Lang Publishing.
Busch, D. (ed.) (2024) Routledge Handbook of Intercultural Mediation. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2041424.
Munday, J., Ramos Pinto, S. and Blakesley, J. (2022) Introducing Translation Studies. 5th edition. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1926714.
Toury, G. (2012) Descriptive translation studies and beyond. 2nd expanded ed. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1053083.
Hervey, S. and Higgins, I. (2003) Thinking French Translation. Routledge. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=180598.
Rogers, M. et al. (2020) Thinking German translation: a course in translation method?: German to English. Third edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781315686264.
Cragie, S. et al. (2016) Thinking Italian translation: a course in translation method?: Italian to English. Second edition. Abingdon: Routledge. Available at: http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315755878.
Haywood, L., Thompson, M. and Hervey, S. (2013) Thinking Spanish Translation. 2nd New edition. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780203886014.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	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

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Ms Ignazia Posadinu, email: ignazia.posadinu@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: IIgnazia Posadinu, Lexa Olivera-Smith, Laetitia Vedrenne, Antonia Wu, Yujia Wang, Christopher Da Silva, Claudia Alsdorf, Matilde Trucco, Natalia Rodriguez Vicente, Chiara Fiori

Contact details: Ms Ignazia Posadinu, iposad@essex.ac.uk, Office: 4.320a, Number: x2239.

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Ms Cathy Molinaro

Institution: Cardiff University

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 19 hours, 18 (94.7%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Language and Linguistics

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Module Directory

LA043-4-FY-CO:Concepts of Translation and Cultural Mediation