FR117-30 English & French Translation (for Erasmus Students)
Introductory description
This is a full-year translation module aimed at the Erasmus students coming from various French Universities which have a partnership with the Warwick French Section, and staying for a whole year. These are: Paris Sorbonne/ Paris Nanterre/ Caen/ Montpellier/ Bordeaux/ Grenoble/Dijon.
Module aims
The module has been tailored for the French Erasmus students listed in the introductory description. They all have diverse origins. Indeed they all prepare a Licence in the French system, but there are 3 different types of Licences ( or B.A.).
L.E.A.: Langues étrangères appliquées: English plus another foreign language ans some business studies.
L.L.C.E.: Langues, littératures, civilisations étrangères: English and American language, literature and civilisation.
L.E.M.A.: (Paris Sorbonne): Lettres Edition Media Audiovisuel (mainly based on the study of French literature, but also with some media studies and a link to publishing)>
The diversity of the students in the group means that some already have a very good knowledge of the English language/grammar/vocabulary, and are very familiar with translation tasks; whereas some students have very little knowledge of English and almost no practice of translation.
This creates a real challenge in terms of group cohesion, and in terms of the work done.
The module aims:
- To develop students’ knowledge of vocabulary and lexicology.
- To develop students’ grammatical knowledge and understanding.
- To increase awareness of different registers ( formal/informal/written/spoken) and different styles.
- To increase awareness of the differences between French and English, by encouraging students to read with an eye to translation difficulties.
- To develop skills of translation from English.
- To enable students to increase the accuracy and stylistic appropriateness of written translations from French into English.
- To analyse and work on some contemporary French Literature texts ( translation French into English).
- To analyse and work on some journalistic texts (translation English into French).
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Translation into French and translation into English building techniques and translation strategies at word, sentence and text level.
Introduction to translation problems.
Translation and Lexicology.
Modulation.
Transposition.
Work on the modals.
Work on prepositions.
Work on the articles.
Grammar sheets.
Vocabulary sheets ( for instance: work on verbs and their various meanings).
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- A solid command of advanced aspects of English grammar.
- An advanced understanding of the challenges inherent to translation from and into English( syntax/register/idioms).
- Vocabulary building.
- Advanced reading skills across a range of document types.
- Consolidation of independent language-learning skills.
International
All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than their own and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from both anglophone and francophone contexts. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of other visiting exchange students in the classroom.
Subject specific skills
This module will develop students’ linguistic skills through engaging with primary materials in French and English. It will build students’ capacity to engage with aspects of francophone and anglophone cultures through analysis of this primary material and through seminar discussion aimed at deeper critical thinking. In particular, students’ awareness of English and French translation will be enhanced through exposition and seminar discussion.
Transferable skills
All SMLC culture modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from target-language cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both French and English, intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both French and English, personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 21 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 264 hours (93%) |
| Total | 285 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Unseen Translation Test 1 | 20% | No | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Unseen Translation Test 2 | 20% | No | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Unseen Translation Test 3 | 20% | No | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Unseen Translation Test 4 | 20% | No | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Unseen Translation Test 5 | 20% | No | |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided in the course of the module in a number of ways. Feedback should be understood to be both formal and informal and is not restricted to feedback on formal written work.
Oral feedback will be provided by the module tutor in the course of class discussion. This may include feedback on points raised in small group work or in the course of individual presentations or larger group discussion.
Regular written feedback will be provided on both assessed and non-assessed work using the SMLC feedback form appropriate to the assessment. Feedback is intended to enable continuous improvement throughout the module. Oral and written feedback will always demonstrate areas of success and areas for future development, which can be applied to future assessment. Feedback will be both discipline-specific and focussed on key transferrable skills, enabling students to apply this feedback to their future professional lives. Feedback will be fair and reasonable and will be linked to the SMLC marking scheme appropriate to the module.
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
UIOA-ESO Undergraduate European Exchange
- Year 2 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
- Year 2 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange