LA871-7-AU-CO:
Principles of Translation
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 18 December 2026
15
14 April 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
LA898
MA Q91012 Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling,
MA Q91112 Translation and Professional Practice,
MA Q91T12 Advanced Interpreting with Specialised Translation (Chinese-English),
MA T1Q912 Conference Interpreting and Translation (Chinese-English),
MA Q91212 Chinese-English Translation and Professional Practice,
MA V5T112 Western Marxism and Translation,
MA Q91L12 Intercultural Communication and Language Technologies,
MPHDQ91048 Translation Studies (Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling),
PHD Q91048 Translation Studies (Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling)
This module introduces postgraduate students to key concepts and theoretical approaches in Translation Studies as a field of scholarly inquiry and professional practice. It examines translation as a linguistically, culturally and socially situated activity, engaging with topics such as equivalence, function and purpose, translation strategies, text types and audience, multimodality, ideology, power and ethics.
Through guided reading, seminar discussions, and analysis of practical examples, students will examine how translation operates across linguistic and cultural contexts, developing a critical understanding of translation as a form of intercultural communication.
The aims of this module are:
- to introduce students to key concepts, theories, and current debates in Translation Studies;
- To enable students to explore translation as a socially and culturally situated practice;
- to give students opportunities to discuss and analyse a range of matters relating to translation theory and practice;
- to introduce students to relevant issues in the professional practice of translation and the standards of the language industry.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key concepts, theories and current debates in Translation Studies.
- Analyse translation as a socially and culturally situated practice, taking into account contextual and ideological factors.
- Critically discuss and evaluate a range of issues relating to translation theory and practice, drawing on relevant examples.
- Demonstrate awareness of professional practices in the translation industry, including relevant standards, norms, and ethical considerations.
Two contact hours per week in the form of a 1-hour lecture followed by a 1-hour seminar. The seminar will involve class discussions and practical activities, including part-guided individual and group work.
Students are expected to complete several hours of preparatory reading each week, as assigned by lecturers.
-
Munday, J. (2016)
Introducing translation studies: theories and applications. Fourth edition. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1926714.
-
Baker, M. (2018)
In other words: a coursebook on translation. Third edition. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Available at:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=1730236.
-
Robinson, D. (2019)
Becoming a translator: an introduction to the theory and practice of translation. 4th New edition. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780429276606.
-
Katan, D. and Taibi, M. (2021)
Translating cultures: an introduction for translators, interpreters, and mediators. 3rd edition. Manchester: St. Jerome. Available at:
https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/895059.
-
Venuti, L. (ed.) (2021)
The translation studies reader. Fourth edition. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6518483.
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 |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Moodle Quiz 1 |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Moodle Quiz 2 |
|
15% |
| Coursework |
Moodle Quiz 3 |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Presentation |
|
50% |
Additional coursework information
N/A
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
Dr Laetitia Vedrenne, email: laetitia.vedrenne@essex.ac.uk.
Laetitia Vedrenne & Beatriz de Paiva
4.219, lmvedr@essex.ac.uk
Ms C.Chen, office: 4.204A; email: cchenn@essex.ac.uk;
Ms N.Zhao,office: 4.201; email: nzhaoa@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 2 hours, 2 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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