FREN 3013 - Translation: Practice and Theory (French)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

This course is designed for students in their third year of French, German or Spanish, and is also available to students studying Linguistics. The lecture hour, which is common for all students, will focus on the various theories and approaches to translation. For the practical work, students choose a two-hour seminar appropriate to their area of specialisation: French, German, Spanish or Linguistics. Emphasis here will be on the practice of translating a variety of documents using appropriate registers, grammatical constructions and idiomatic expressions. Students will thus have the opportunity to improve their foreign language skills and to gain a better understanding of the stylistic differences between their chosen language and English. More generally, the course aims to develop a deep sense of the richness of language itself. A further aim is to give students an appreciation of the processes and philosophies involved in translation, and of the role translation can play in promoting intercultural understanding.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code FREN 3013
    Course Translation: Practice and Theory (French)
    Coordinating Unit French Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites FREN 3201 or FREN 3211
    Assumed Knowledge FREN 3201 or FREN 3211
    Course Description This course is designed for students in their third year of French, German or Spanish, and is also available to students studying Linguistics. The lecture hour, which is common for all students, will focus on the various theories and approaches to translation. For the practical work, students choose a two-hour seminar appropriate to their area of specialisation: French, German, Spanish or Linguistics. Emphasis here will be on the practice of translating a variety of documents using appropriate registers, grammatical constructions and idiomatic expressions. Students will thus have the opportunity to improve their foreign language skills and to gain a better understanding of the stylistic differences between their chosen language and English. More generally, the course aims to develop a deep sense of the richness of language itself. A further aim is to give students an appreciation of the processes and philosophies involved in translation, and of the role translation can play in promoting intercultural understanding.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ben McCann

    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. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of translation.
    2. Apply these principles and practices to specific translation tasks, using language appropriate to the genre and context of the source document.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the way in which translation as a generalised practice informs language-specific translation problems and vice-versa.
    4. Make appropriate use of various translation tools, including dictionaries and online resources.
    5. Produce accurate translations of documents adhering to strict guidelines and deadlines.
    6. Work productively with their peers on research and translation projects.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the interpersonal and intercultural role played by translation, and by language more generally.




    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 3, 7
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2, 4, 5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2, 7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No required resources other than access to a variety of French-English and French-French dictionaries (see Recommended Resources).
    Recommended Resources
    Students should not rely on one single dictionary source for translation work, but draw on a range of sources appropriate to each task. This includes not only French-English dictionaries but also French-French dictionaries, which are often helpful for clarifying meaning.
    There are various on-line dictionaries:
    - Word Reference is a useful starting point but has its limitations
    - the Lexilogos web site offers a range of options: https://www.lexilogos.com/anglais_dictionnaire.htm
    - there is also a Lexilogos web site for French-French dictionaries: https://www.lexilogos.com/francais_dictionnaire.htm
    Print dictionaries are also important resources as they sometimes provide information not available in on-line versions:
    - the Collins-Robert French Dictionary (21st Century Edition) is an excellent standard bilingual dictionary
    - the Petit Robert is a good French-French source
    The library has multiple copies of these, but students might want to consider purchasing either or both (the Petit Robert can be purchased as an e-resource).
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There are three contact hours per week in this course: 1 lecture (given in English) and a 2-hour seminar for practical translation work.
    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.

    3 hours of classes per week 36 hours per semester
    6 hours of assignment/class work preparation per week 72 hours per semester
    3 hours reading/research per week 36 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 144 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    The lecture hour, which will be attended by students undertaking the French, German, Spanish and Linguistic versions of the course, will be given in English. It will focus on the various theories and approaches to translation. In the two-hour seminar, the emphasis will be on practical translation activities, in both directions.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Students will work in groups on one of the major translation projects.
  • 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
    Regular translation exercises (approx. 200 words), including test(s) 40%
    Major translation projects 45%
    Exegesis (1000 words) on final major project 15%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    The guidelines relating to presentation, submission and assessment of work are as follows:

    1. Presentation of Work
    All work handed in should be clearly labelled with the student’s name and class and also with the name of the staff member for whom it is intended.  It should be written on alternate lines (double spaced and in a font no less than 12 point, if typed), for greater clarity and to allow ample room for correction. For essay work, attention should be given to the correct setting out of quotations and bibliographical material.

    2. Deadlines
    Assignments must be submitted on a regular basis, by noon on the date indicated in each case (a penalty of 2% per day late will be applied and no mark can be given once the particular assignment has been returned and discussed in class). However, any student experiencing difficulties (due to documentated cases of health problems or personal hardship) should contact the Course Coordinator.  The onus is on the student, however, to make such an approach—before the due date. Essays handed in after the due date will have the same penalties deducted and will not be marked at all if they are over one week late, unless an extension has been granted.

    Extensions can only be sought in advance of the due date under the provisions of the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy or the Reasonable Adjustments for Teaching and Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy.
    Assessment Detail
    See the Course Booklet for a detailed presentation of the assessment procedures.
    Submission
    See the Course Booklet for submission guidelines.
    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
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