LA875-7-SP-CO:
Technologies of Translation II and Post Editing

The details
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
01 April 2022

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
LA873
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MA Q91112 Translation and Professional Practice,
MA Q91212 Chinese-English Translation and Professional Practice,
MLANR990 Modern Languages (Translation)

Module description

The translation services industry is rapidly expanding and changing in the way it operates. To keep abreast of the translation industry you will need to be able to handle a range of CAT tools and offer technologically sophisticated added value services, including website localisation and desktop publishing. This module has been designed to prepare you to become a confident user of current translation technologies employed by freelancers and companies in the translation and localisation industry. The module is delivered by a series of classes followed up by hands on Computer Aided Translation sessions. Several tool, software design, philosophies, strengths and weaknesses will be investigated, evaluated and compared so that you will gain a clear overview of current technologies and their likely evolution. We will be training and working with the leading software programmes in use in the industry and with Machine Translation output and suitable Post Editing. Some of these include: MemoQ, Memsource, Smartcat.

Module aims

The aims of this module are the following:

• To provide you with an overview of key theoretical concepts and professional practices in Computer Aided Translation, machine translation and post-editing skills.
• To broaden and deepen your familiarity and expertise with current translation technologies.
• To provide you with critical awareness of the linguistic, social and cultural issues associated with Translation and localisation.
• To provide you with understanding of the constraints associated with machine translation and creative possibilities of post-editing activity.
• To equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable you to place yourself successfully into the translation and localisation job market.
• To enable you to become a proficient user of relevant specialist and open source software.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will demonstrate:
1. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of translation technologies and their place in the freelance and translation industry.
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise with terminology collection and management.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the constraints associated to machine translation and to the creative solutions of post-editing and localisation activity.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and proficient usage of commercial software and technology packages such as Translation Memory software (SDL Trados, MemoQ, Memsource MateCat and others). This will include: ability to create exchangeable translation memory and terminology files in order to be able to use them with different CAT systems.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to enable you to place yourself successfully into the translation and localisation job market

Module information

N/A

Learning and teaching methods

2-hour lab classes x 10 weeks. Each lab session consists of a 1hour lecture, which will include a practical demonstration on the main features included in the CAT tool or software. This will be followed by 1 hour of hands-on practice. Teaching areas and methods • SDL Trados Studio Advanced level • MemoQ Environment • Memosource • Open sources CAT Tools • Machine Translation • Online CAT and MT environments • Post editing skills • Post editing and proof reading • Localisation issues • Test

Bibliography

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   Post Editing Translation Project     75% 
Coursework   Moodle Quiz    25% 

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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Ignazia Posadinu, email: ignazia.posadinu@essex.ac.uk.
Ignazia Posadinu
4.320A, iposad@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Chonglong Gu
University of Liverpool
Lecturer in Chinese Translation Studies
Dr Eloisa Monteoliva
Heriot-Watt University
Assistant Professor in Spanish (Translation & Interpreting)
Dr Maria Gomez-Bedoya
University of East Anglia
Associate professor in Spanish and Applied Linguistics
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

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