Translation as a Means of Intercultural Collaboration

Bachelor 2021/2022

Category 'Best Course for Career Development'

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 1 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Elena Zyrianova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 26

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Abstract

Language is complex, and when abstract or nuanced concepts get lost in translation, the consequences may be catastrophic. As Margaret Atwood famously noted: “War is what happens when language fails”. Interpreters and translators all over the world are aware of that and work diligently behind the scenes to make sure it never does. So, at this optional/elective course we will work consequently first with written and then oral translation theory and practice. I would be happy to share with you the following: - basic translation studies theories; - basic techniques and tips on translating; - simultaneous interpretation secrets (how to listen, translate and speak at the same time); - practices of international issues being solved by means of interpretation. You will enjoy the course if you - have B2-C1 level of English Language - are fond of linguistics and want to learn and practise it more; - want to apply your language knowledge in real life translation situations; - love searching for perfect match of all the language peculiarities in one phrase; - are ready to work in a team and share your ideas; - are interested in examining and discussing language capacities every lesson; - want to understand whether translation or interpretation are for you; - challenge your mind. Note: The course presupposes applying both Russian and English languages in order to perform the translation process (e.g. the source text and target text can be both English and Russian), while theory presenting and instructing are going to be performed in English.

Learning Objectives

Basic knowledge of the types of interpretation.
Examination and development of theoretical and practical skills of translation from English into Russian and vice versa.
Acquisition of systematic knowledge about ways, means and approaches of language units transformation while interpreting.
Basic activities for students preparation to written and oral translation.
Awareness of simultaneous interpreter performance at International conferences.

Expected Learning Outcomes

to be able to compile a thematic vocabulary for simultaneous interpretation performance
to be able to support the choice of this or that translation strategy or technique
to be able to translate the simplest texts
to be aware and capable of performing necessary practical tasks and exercises for training and practising this or that interpretation peculiarity
to be aware of basic theoretical standards concerning this or that translation issue or case
to be aware of strategies for different types of translation preparation
to be aware of the language systems peculiarities to be able to choose the right translation strategy
to be aware of thу techniques typical for simultaneous and consequtive translation types
to have a skill of linguistic data processing and systematizing
to know the recommended rules of translation transformations of the texts of different genres, oral as well as written
to know the recommended rules of translation transformations of the texts of different genres, oral as well as written.
to possess the critical thinking skills and autonomy of decision making
уметь адаптироваться к речи говорящего to be able to adjust the presenter's speech peculiarities

Course Contents

Introduction to the Interpretation theory.
Strategies and units of translation.
Simultaneous interpretation basics.
Simultaneous interpretation practice.
Techniques and strategies of written interpretation.

Assessment Elements

Ongoing assessment
All the assignments are announced and collected at Smart LMS Platform. Assignments are awarded a “0” in the following cases:  violation of the deadline for more than 2 days;  cheating and copying from another student/source/script;  plagiarism (originality < 80%). The rounding starts with 0,6. So 9,6 is 10, 9,5 is 9. Performance at the lesson is assessed according to the following 3 grades scale which is transfered into a 10 grade scale after that: 1 – present (without being late), no participation or performance at the lesson. 2 – participation with 1-2 comments 3 – active participation during the lesson, the student is fully engaged and present. All the grades are added up and divided by its number, final grade is transfered into a 10 grade scale: 3-10; 2,7 - 9; 2,4 - 8; 2,1 - 7; 1,8 - 6; 1,5 - 5; 1,2 - 4; 0,9 - 3; 0,6 - 2; 0,3 - 1; 0 - 0.
Final game-test
The rounding starts from 0,6. So 9,5 is 9, 9,6 is 10.
Written translation project
The rounding starts with 0,6. So 9,6 is 10, 9,5 is 9.
Simultaneous translation project.
The rounding starts with 0,6. So 9,6 is 10, 9,5 is 9.

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 2nd module
0.25 * Written translation project + 0.25 * Ongoing assessment + 0.25 * Simultaneous translation project. + 0.25 * Final game-test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Mona Baker, & Gabriela Saldanha. (2019). Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. [N.p.]: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2258036

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Venuti, L. (2012). The Translation Studies Reader (Vol. 3rd ed). London: Taylor & Francis [CAM]. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=506545

Authors

ZYRYANOVA ELENA SERGEEVNA

Course Syllabus