Students

TRAN8070 – Introduction to Translation and Interpreting

2022 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Marc Orlando
marc.orlando@mq.edu.au
Jing Fang
jing.fang@mq.edu.au
Della Goswell
della.goswell@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MTransInter or MTransInterMIntRel or MTransInterMAppLingTESOL or MAdvTransInterStud or MTransInter(Adv) or GradDipTransInter or GradCertCommInter or MConfInt or MAccComm
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to various aspects of translation and interpreting theories and their application to translation and interpreting practice. Theories relevant to translation practice are discussed, focusing on linguistic theories, functionalist theories, and discourse-based approaches. The overview of interpreting theory covers equivalence, comprehension, issues relating to language proficiency, and interpreting processes in diverse modes. The various approaches adopted in the unit aim to broaden students' perspectives on translation and interpreting and inform their studies.

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 an understanding of the nature and role of theory.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate familiarity with a range of theories relevant to translation and interpreting.
  • ULO3: Reflect on the relevance of translation and interpreting theories.
  • ULO4: Apply theoretical knowledge to translation and interpreting tasks.
  • ULO5: Communicate theoretical concepts orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

General Assessment Information

For assessment task 1 (to be submitted in week 8), students will choose to use their interpreting or translation practice as basis for the project.

For assessment task 2 (to be submitted in week 14), students will use their translation practice as basis for the essay. The essay and reference list should follow the APA style.

 

Extension to assignment due date 

Students are expected to submit all work by the due date. Applications for assessment task extensions must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details, please refer to the Special Consideration Policy available at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration. 

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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Problem-solving task 50% No Week 14, June 8
Action research project 50% No Week 8, April 26

Problem-solving task

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 14, June 8
Weighting: 50%

Students are required to apply 1 or more theories to a practical translation task in an essay format. The word length for the essay assessment is approximately 2,000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and role of theory.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with a range of theories relevant to translation and interpreting.
  • Reflect on the relevance of translation and interpreting theories.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to translation and interpreting tasks.
  • Communicate theoretical concepts orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

Action research project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 8, April 26
Weighting: 50%

Students are required to identify a problem in their interpreting, devise and implement a strategy based on theories studied, monitor and report on progress. Students are required to submit the assignment in a multimedia video format (6-8 minutes).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and role of theory.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with a range of theories relevant to translation and interpreting.
  • Reflect on the relevance of translation and interpreting theories.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to translation and interpreting tasks.
  • Communicate theoretical concepts orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.

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

Classes will be delivered in a blended mode. Students will cover weekly pre-recorded lectures made available on iLearn and will attend a tutorial where activities will allow them how to discuss and apply the concepts dealt with in the lecture to their translation and interpreting practice.

 

Attendance and participation 

In the Translation and Interpreting program, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses. As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all classes and small group interactive sessions including tutorials.  When attending a class via Zoom, students are expected to turn on their camera and participate actively to proposed activities and discussions. They must ensure their IT set up and connectivity allow for such participation. 

 

Prescribed textbooks for this unit are:

Munday, Jeremy (2016): Introducing Translation Studies (4th edition), Routledge (New York/London)

Pöchhacker, Franz (2016): Introducing Interpreting Studies (2nd edition), Routledge (New York, London).

 

Unit Schedule

Weekly schedule and content

 

 

Week/date

 

Lecture Topic

 

Lecturer

 

1 (22 Feb)

Introduction to T&I Studies

T&I in the 21st century: Practice, Research, Training

A/Prof Marc Orlando

2 (1 March)

Early translation theories and approaches

 

Dr Jing Fang

3 (8 March)

Product and process: T&I and cognition

Dr Jing fang

4 (15 March)

Functional Theories

 

Dr Jing Fang

5 (22 March)

Discourse and register analysis

 

Dr Jing Fang

6 (29 March)

Main theoretical concepts, models, and paradigms in Interpreting Studies

 

A/Prof Marc Orlando

7 (5 April)

The Interpretive Theory of Translation (Théorie du sens)

 

A/Prof Marc Orlando

8 (26 April)

Discourse in Interaction

 

Ms Della Goswell

9 (3 May)

Systems theories

 

Dr Long Li

10 (10 May)

Cultural and ideological turns

 

Dr Long Li

11 (17 May)

Sociological approaches

 

Dr Long Li

12 (24 May)

New directions in T&I Studies

 

Dr Long Li

13 (31 May)

Wrap-up and future work

A/Prof Marc Orlando

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook