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Translation Theory and Practice - LAN00116M

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Gustavo Gongora Goloubintseff
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This core module will introduce you to the practical and theoretical components that underpin translation in professional settings. Throughout the module, you will learn a series of transferable skills that will empower you to become a critical and reflective translator.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This is an introductory module designed to equip you with a series of transferable (soft) skills that will enable you to become a more competent and reflective translator. Through a series of theory-based, profession-oriented lectures, seminars and language-specific workshops, you will learn strong analytical skills and develop the linguistic judgement which will enable you to overcome translation challenges and provide appropriate solutions to both genre-specific and intercultural issues. Moreover, this module introduces you to some of the latest translation technologies commonly used in the language industry.

Module learning outcomes

After completing this module, you should be able to:

  • effectively translate texts from various genres,
  • make important translation decisions drawing on existing scholarship,
  • evaluate and implement external research ideas,
  • critically reflect on you role as an intercultural mediator,
  • incorporate translation technologies into your workflow.

Module content

The following topics will be covered:

  • Contemporary Translation Theory
  • The Equivalence Paradigm(s) and Skopos Theory
  • Translation-oriented source text analysis (TOSTA)
  • Translation Practice
  • The translator’s ideology
  • The translator’s ‘(in)visibility’
  • Machine Translation and Post-editing
  • Localisation
  • Audiovisual translation

The following text types/genres will be covered in practical workshops:

  • Journalistic
  • Political literature
  • Popular science
  • Scientific/technical
  • Academic
  • Literary
  • Web content
  • Audiovisual material

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Translation and critical analysis		 N/A 70
Essay/coursework
Translation and reflective report		 N/A 30

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Translation and critical analysis		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Assessment 1: You will receive formative feedback from your language-specific tutor.

Assessment 2: You will receive formative and summative feedback from both your language-specific tutor (for the translation component of the assessment) and the course unit convenor (for the reflective report).

Machine translation and post-editing + reflective report
Assessment 3: You will receive formative and summative feedback from both your language-specific tutor (for the translation component of the assessment) and the course unit convenor (for the critical analysis).

Indicative reading

Indicative Reading:

Diaz-Cintas, J., & Remael, A. (2014). Audiovisual translation: subtitling.Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315759678

Jiménez-Crespo, M. A. (2013). Translation and web localization. Routledge.

Kenny, D. (2017). Human issues in translation technology. Routledge.

Munday, J. (2012). Introducing translation studies theories and applications (3rd ed.). Routledge.

O’Hagan, M. (2020). The Routledge handbook of translation and technology (M. O’Hagan, Ed.). Routledge.

Olohan, M. (2021). Translation and practice theory. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315514772.

Pym, A. (2014). Exploring Translation Theories (2nd ed.). Taylor and Francis.

Venuti, L. (2008). The translator’s invisibility: a history of translation (2nd ed.). Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.