Professors: Barbara Jurasek (C228, x1514, barbj), Chisato Murakami (C233, x1336, murakch), and Chris Swafford-Smith (C222b, x1614, chriss,). Our office hours are either posted on our doors or in the Languages/Literatures office.
Course Description
In this team-taught course, sometimes we will meet as a whole group and sometimes we will have language specific sections. This class will focus on theoretical approaches to translation, on comparing languages, and on practical applications (doing translations, mostly from the target language to English).
Objectives
- To learn more about language as a whole and about particular languages so as to understand translation as an act of power.
- To learn about and apply various theories and methods of translation.
- To compare the conventions and distinctive perspectives of several languages, especially English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.
- To enhance one's ability to move from a written target language through translation into one’s native language.
- To articulate more clearly the complexities of translation such as the
human and institutional networks at play, and to begin developing a personal
code of ethics concerning the practice of
translation. - To play and to have fun while enhancing linguistic and critical thinking skills.
Texts
- In bookstore: Munday, Jeremy. Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications. (required)
- Recommended, may be located wherever: Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, and dictionaries, encyclopedias, glossaries, etc.
Expectations, Assignments, and Evaluation
Grades
The grades for this class will be assigned according to the following:
Class participation 30%. Class participation includes attendance and on-time arrival at all class meetings; timely and thorough preparation of exercises, readings, and other assignments; participation in discussion, which includes showing signs of active listening when others speak and helping to keep discussion on track; and your efforts to create an upbeat environment where everyone can learn. Trips to the water fountain or bathroom disrupt others' ability to focus; please show respect by taking care of these needs before or after class. More than 3 unexcused absences may be grounds for failing this course. If you know in advance that you will be absent, please inform one of the professors. In addition to your daily participation and assignments, you will be asked to engage in at least one individual and one group presentation in front of the whole class. These presentations contribute to the class participation component of your grade.
Translations (portfolio) 40%. Throughout the class, you will be asked to do various translations. This work, along with all notes and appropriate commentary of readings should be kept in a portfolio (notebook). All translations will be graded individually and it is expected that each will include various revisions. At the end of the class, the portfolios will be collected and a final grade assigned for the accumulated work you have done over the semester.
Tests 30%. You will have a midterm and a final exam, both in class. Explanations for the tests will be provided at least one week before you take the tests.
Strategies for Success in Meeting the Objectives
- Assignments and deadlines: Follow instructions for deadlines. Your grade will be lowered ½ grade for every day that an assignment is late. (Example: assignment due on Monday but you turned it in the next day. You would have received an A but due to lateness, received an A-.)
- Center for Academic Enrichment. If you need to work on study habits and skills (personal organization, understanding instructions) to keep up with this course, the Center for Academic Enrichment, x 1341, located near the Post Office in Runyan Center, provides free tutoring services and support for other areas that affect your ability to learn. If you think a tutor for this particular course would be helpful, please see one of us ASAP. If you have a documented disability (i.e., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) for which you need to arrange reasonable accommodations, you must contact the Disabilities Services Office (Donna Keesling, x1341) within the first two weeks of the semester.
- Communication with professors. Stay in close touch with us about your questions, ideas, and challenges. We will work with you to find strategies that address your concerns.
