Foundations of Translation

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Time commitment totals 170 hours.

Admission to the Master of Translation.

None.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students will be introduced to basic principles of translation in this subject, examining key linguistic and cultural aspects of translation between English and Chinese. Through practical translation exercises, students will develop awareness of linguistic and cultural contrasts between the two languages. Translation exercises draw on texts of genres such as journalistic writing, government documents, literary work, through which students will gain basic knowledge and awareness required for translating a range of topics and of a variety of genres, and will develop translation strategies necessary for professional practice.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have a basic understanding of the theories underpinning the practice of translation
• have a critical understanding of the cultural and intellectual foundations of the English- and Chinese-speaking worlds have improved their language competence to a native speaker or near-native level in English or Chinese, professionally enhanced by appreciating the complexity of translating between the two languages.

• A 1000 word translation assignment due week 4 (20%)
• A 500 word translation assignment due week 8 (30%)
• A take home examination, 2500 words due during the examination period (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject.

Materials prepared by the Asia Institute.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subjects, students will have developed the following generic skills:

• Bilingualism: Translation entails the highest possible degree of written competence in at least two languages, with an acute capacity for metalinguistic awareness, and a preparedness to continually improve.
• Intercultural understanding: Translation requires the practitioner to be deeply engaged with two cultures and to understand how to mediate between them on behalf of people who do not share both cultures.
• Decision making: Translators are creative decision makers who need to draw on multiple sources of data to form judgments that are seldom clear-cut, and who are prepared to defend their decisions and to revise them when necessary.