CHIN 7007 - Foundations of Translation and Interpreting

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course provides theoretical foundations for the translation and interpreting studies and professional practice required by applicants of certified translators and interpreters. It develops students? knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories in translation and interpreting studies, cross-cultural linguistics and cross-cultural communication relevant to translation and interpreting. It also introduces the professional ethics and code of conduct, and familiarises students with the development of the profession in Australia and overseas.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHIN 7007
    Course Foundations of Translation and Interpreting
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible CHIN 5012
    Assumed Knowledge Fluency in both Chinese and English
    Restrictions Available to MA (InterpTrnsltnTrnscultComm), GDipInterpTrnsltnTrnscultComm students only
    Course Description This course provides theoretical foundations for the translation and interpreting studies and professional practice required by applicants of certified translators and interpreters. It develops students? knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories in translation and interpreting studies, cross-cultural linguistics and cross-cultural communication relevant to translation and interpreting. It also introduces the professional ethics and code of conduct, and familiarises students with the development of the profession in Australia and overseas.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Hong Cai

    Course Coordinator/Lecturer
    Dr Hong Cai
    RM 641, Kenneth Wills Building
    Ph: +61 8 83132598
    Email: hong.cai@adelaide.edu.au
    Consultation hours: By appointments

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. gain comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the major theoretical frameworks in translation and interpreting studies
    2. develop a good understanding of the link between the practice of translation and interpreting and relevant theories
    3. gain a broad understanding of the field of translation studies, including how other disciplines (e.g. linguistics, corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, gender studies, etc.) relate to it
    4. develop critical thinking skills and the ability to assess translation and interpreting practice from theoretical perspectives
    5. achieve a good command of the code of ethics for translation and interpreting
    6. develop skills in managing and dealing with clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds
    7. develop skills in identifying potential conflicts and reflect on strategies for problem-solving
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2,3,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    4,5,6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4,5,6,7

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3,5,6,7

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    5,6,7

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3,4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    6,7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Munday, Jeremy, Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications, 3rd or 4th edition, Routledge, London and New York, (available at the Ebook Library)

    Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc, AUSIT Code of Ethics (full version)
    Recommended Resources
    Books:
    Baker, Mona. In other words: a coursebook on translation (2nd Edition), 2011. Florence, KY, USA: Routledge, e-book available
    Gambier, Y. and Doorslaer, L. (Ed) (2010). Handbook of Translation Studies. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, e-book available
    Gile, D. (2009). Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, e-book available
    Gouadec, D. (2007). Translation as a Profession. Amsterdam: Benjamins, e-book available
    Levý, JiÅ™í, Corness, Patrick, Hausenblas, Karel, & Jettmarová, Zuzana. (2011). The Art of Translation. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, e-book available
    Valerie Pellatt, Eric T. Liu, Yalta Ya-Yun Chen. Translating Chinese culture: the process of Chinese-English translation; 2014, Call No. 495.1802 P385tr, e-book available
    Catford, J. (1965). A linguistic theory of translation: An essay in applied linguistics / J.C. Catford (Language and language learning). London: Oxford University Press. Call No. 808 C359
    Munday, J., & Zhang, Meifang, editor. (2017). Discourse analysis in translation studies / edited by Jeremy Munday, Meifang Zhang. (Benjamins current topics ; v. 94), e-book available
    Newmark, P. (1991). About translation. (Multilingual matters (Series) ; 74). Clevedon [England] ; Philadelphia: Multilingual Matters., Call No. 418.02 N556ab
    Nida, E., & Taber, Charles R. (1974). The theory and practice of translation / by Eugene A. Nida and Charles R. Taber (Helps for translators ; v.8). Leiden: Brill. Call No. 418.02 N664

    Journals:
    Babel; Chinese Translators Journal (Zhong Guo Fan Yi‘); Meta; Target; Translation; TTR (Traduction, Terminologie, Rédaction); The Translator
    Online Learning
    Course plans, assessment arrangments and learning materials will be provided on MyUni via Announcements, Course Outline, Week by Week, Lecture Recordings, Assessment, etc.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course consists of 1-hour Lecture + 2-hour Tutorial each week.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1 - lecture per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2 – hour tutorial per week 24 hours per semester
    5 hours practice per week 60 hours per semester
    3 hours reading and research per week 36 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1 Introduction; Translation as a profession; Main issues of translation studies
    Week 2 Translation theory before the twentieth century; Equivalence and equivalent effect
    Week 3 Studying translation product and process; Functional theories of translation
    Week 4 Functional theories of translation (continued)
    Week 5 Discourse and register analysis approaches
    Week 6 System theories
    Week 7 Cultural and ideological turns
    Week 8 The role of the translator: Visibility, ethics and sociology
    Week 9 Philosophical approaches to translation; New directions from the new media
    Week 10 Ethics test; Research and commentary projects
    Week 11 Oral presentation
    Week 12 Ethics test; Oral presentation

    * The weekly activities may be subject to change.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type  Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Chapter presentations Formative and Summative See MyUni Assignments 12% 1-7
    Ethics and intercultural knowledge test Formative and Summative See MyUni Assignments  28%  5, 6, 7
    A research paper on theoretical and 
    professional aspects
    Summative  See MyUni Assignments 40%  1, 2, 3, 4
    Oral presentation on the research Summative See MyUni Assignments 10% 1, 2, 3, 4
    Reading questions  Formative and Summative Weekly 10% 1-7



    Assessment Detail
    Assessment in this course is criteria-based, i.e. the desired learning outcomes are specified and are designed to indicate progress towards the learning outcomes. The assessment grade is a measure of the extent to which the student has achieved the learning outcomes. The standard of performance required for the award of a particular grade is a judgement based on the professional expertise of the staff who contribute to the assessment process and is informed by the experience of accepted standards. There is no predetermined distribution of grades.

    Ethics and intercultural knowledge test – 28% weighting

    A 1- hour test is to be held in Week 10 during the tutorials. It includes four questions on professional ethics within a specific timeframe and under specific examination conditions as per AUSIT's Code of Ethics. A supplementary ethics test is provided in Week 12 to those who fail the test in Week 10. The result of the exam will be used as evidence for determining eligibility for the recommendation for NAATI Accreditation.

    Chapter presentations – 12% weighting

    Choose two topics in the area of translation and/or interpreting theories and professional translation, and present a talk in English and Chinese for 20 minutes each in class

    Reading questions - 10% weighting

    There are 10 worksheets with lists of reading questions for each chapter. 

    A research paper on theoretical or professional aspects – 40% weighting

    Choose a topic in the theoretical and professional area of translation and interpreting and write an academic paper of 3000 words in English. The format of the essay is available on MyUni/Assessment and it should be submitted via Turnitin on MyUni in Word (30% of total weighting). 

    The oral presentation on the research paper accounts for 10% of total weighting. It takes place in Week 11 & 12 either in class or via Zoom. 






    Submission
    All written assessments must be submitted electronically via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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