Students

TRAN8905 – Specialised Translation Practice

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Adelis Huang
adelis.huang@mq.edu.au
Alice Wu
xufang.wu@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
TRAN820 or TRAN8020
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Professional translators are required to work in a broad range of institutional settings with a great variety of genres. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to discuss and practice advanced translation skills in specialised areas such as business, law, medicine and technology. Students will analyse the complex linguistic, cultural and ethical challenges of translating specialised documents. They will explore theoretical and practical aspects of different specialised domains, and build up skills in specialised terminology management. Applied aspects of the unit focus on the specific expectation and challenges faced by translators working in different institutional settings, preparing them for professional practice in specific translation markets and working with professionals in other fields. This unit will comprise a mix of combined and language-specific sessions.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate advanced translating skills and techniques.
  • ULO2: Apply theoretical and integrated knowledge of established principles and recent developments in specialist translation studies.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the specialist translators working with professionals in other fields.
  • ULO4: Discuss the linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by translators working in specialised domains/institutional settings.
  • ULO5: Identify appropriate translation techniques to be used with specialist texts.
  • ULO6: Develop specialist translation skills in both language directions (English and LOTE).
  • ULO7: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills of technological applications for the practice of translation.
  • ULO8: Generate creative solutions to complex problems arising in translation practice in relation to translational choices, interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
  • ULO9: Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to specialised translating practice for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.
  • ULO10: Manage major translation projects in specialised settings.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Learning Journal 20% No Week 14
Translation assignments 30% No Various
Major Translation Project 50% No Week 3, 13, 14

Learning Journal

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 20%

Students are required to maintain a weekly learning journal to reflect on the learning experience, problem solving strategies in dealing with specialised translations and to compile and edit specialist glossaries.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced translating skills and techniques.
  • Apply theoretical and integrated knowledge of established principles and recent developments in specialist translation studies.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the specialist translators working with professionals in other fields.
  • Discuss the linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by translators working in specialised domains/institutional settings.
  • Identify appropriate translation techniques to be used with specialist texts.
  • Develop specialist translation skills in both language directions (English and LOTE).
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills of technological applications for the practice of translation.
  • Generate creative solutions to complex problems arising in translation practice in relation to translational choices, interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
  • Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to specialised translating practice for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.
  • Manage major translation projects in specialised settings.

Translation assignments

Assessment Type 1: Translation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Various
Weighting: 30%

Students will be required to complete various specialised translation tasks of 300 to 500 words each and in both directions
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced translating skills and techniques.
  • Apply theoretical and integrated knowledge of established principles and recent developments in specialist translation studies.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the specialist translators working with professionals in other fields.
  • Discuss the linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by translators working in specialised domains/institutional settings.
  • Identify appropriate translation techniques to be used with specialist texts.
  • Develop specialist translation skills in both language directions (English and LOTE).
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills of technological applications for the practice of translation.
  • Generate creative solutions to complex problems arising in translation practice in relation to translational choices, interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
  • Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to specialised translating practice for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.
  • Manage major translation projects in specialised settings.

Major Translation Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 3, 13, 14
Weighting: 50%

Students will be required to complete a major translation project of approximately 5000 words in either direction. Project planning and management, and peer learning activities are part of this task.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced translating skills and techniques.
  • Apply theoretical and integrated knowledge of established principles and recent developments in specialist translation studies.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the specialist translators working with professionals in other fields.
  • Discuss the linguistic, cultural and ethical issues faced by translators working in specialised domains/institutional settings.
  • Identify appropriate translation techniques to be used with specialist texts.
  • Develop specialist translation skills in both language directions (English and LOTE).
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills of technological applications for the practice of translation.
  • Generate creative solutions to complex problems arising in translation practice in relation to translational choices, interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
  • Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to specialised translating practice for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.
  • Manage major translation projects in specialised settings.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Students will take part in weekly sessions of three hours consisting of semianrs on spcialized translation topics and language specific workshops. 

Translation task materials are sourced from different domains and require in-depth and specialist knowledge. For detailed information, please refer to the Unit iLearn page. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Late submission of assignments

If you haven't been approved for an extension and you submit your assessment task late, penalties are applied. You should consult your unit convenor if you are in this position. Late submissions will receive a 5% per day penalty. If you submit the assessment task 10 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, you will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included. 

Requesting an extension to assignment due date

On occasion, you may be in a situation when you aren't able to submit an assessment task on time. Extensions are only given in special circumstances, by completing a Special Consideration request. For more information on Special Consideration, see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration  

Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook