CHIN 5002 - Translation Project: Chinese to English

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course aims to develop students' skills in translation from Chinese into English as well as a solid understanding of theories underpinning translation practice. The course incorporates theoretical concepts with practice. It introduces different approaches to translation to help students be aware of their own perceptions of translation, translation processes and translation difficulties. It takes an inter-disciplinary approach and utilises contrastive linguistic and cultural analyses to expose students to the features and requirements of text production in both Chinese and English for different genres and purposes. Translation practice covers areas relevant to students' research interests including cultural studies, gender studies and media studies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHIN 5002
    Course Translation Project: Chinese to English
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Assumed Knowledge Native or near-native level of Chinese language proficiency
    Course Description This course aims to develop students' skills in translation from Chinese into English as well as a solid understanding of theories underpinning translation practice. The course incorporates theoretical concepts with practice. It introduces different approaches to translation to help students be aware of their own perceptions of translation, translation processes and translation difficulties. It takes an inter-disciplinary approach and utilises contrastive linguistic and cultural analyses to expose students to the features and requirements of text production in both Chinese and English for different genres and purposes. Translation practice covers areas relevant to students' research interests including cultural studies, gender studies and media studies.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Delia Lin

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand how to accurately translate the complex social and cultural messages embedded in the source text into the target language.
    2 Articulate/communicate one’s own translation process, including contrastive linguistic analysis involved, choice of vocabulary, problem-solving strategies etc
    3 Understand the information conveyed in the source text for different contexts/genres
    4 Switch between Wade-Giles and Pinyin Romanisation systems for translation purposes
    5 Write in appropriate styles, free from grammatical and other errors, and taking into account the linguistic, socio-cultural and other factors associated with the source language text and the target language text
    6 Engage in collaborative work and use the Internet to solve problems encountered in translation
    7 Recognise and understand ethical issues in professional and intellectual contexts of translation
    8 Recognise both simplified and traditional characters for translation purposes.
    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,3,4,5,8
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,2,6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,2,7
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1,7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Workshops are conducted with an interactive approach.  Students are given texts of
    translation in or before the workshop. The texts given are discussed in workshops in groups or with the teaching staff.  Individual and group research activities are also a part of the learning in this course.
    Workload

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

    1 x 3-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week 36 hours per semester
    8 hours reading/research per week 96 hours per semester
    8 hours assignment work per week 96 hours per semester
    7 hours preparation per week 84 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 312 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction
    Week 2 Transcultural issues in translation
    Week 3 Postcolonialism and translation
    Week 4 Ethical practices in translation
    Week 5 Translating poetry
    Week 6 Audio-visual forms of translation
    Week 7 Translating proverbs and idioms
    Week 8 Issues of coherence in translation and practice test
    Week 9 Translation strategies
    Week 10 Equivalence
    Week 11 The role of the translator
    Week 12 Conclusion
  • 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 Weighting Learning Outcome
    Learning activities in workshops Formative and Summative 10% 1-8
    1000 word reflection paper Formative and Summative 10% 1-8
    Portfolio Formative and Summative 20% 1-8
    4000 word translation project Formative and Summative 30% 1-8
    1500 word written exam Summative 30% 1-8
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to attend all workshops.
    Assessment Detail
    Learning activities in workshops: students are expected to participate in workshops - 10% weighting

    1000 word reflection paper: students are required to write a reflective, analytical essay examining two of the course themes from weeks 1-6 - 10% weighting

    Portfolio: students are required to submit all worksheets and translations completed in weeks 1-6 in a portfolio, ordered by week - 20% weighting

    4000 word translation project: students are required to select a text in Chinese which is relevant to their research. This text must be able to be translated into English using approximately 4000 words - 30% weighting

    1500 word written exam: will consist of a Chinese text similar to those examined in class, which students are required to translate into grammatically and idiomatically correct English - 30% weighting
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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.

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    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.

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