Translation Practice in Social Sciences and Humanities (Portuguese-English)
Code
711121056
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas, Secção de Estudos Ingleses e Norte-Americanos
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Vanessa Marie Boutefeu
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Português e Inglês
Objectives
a) To acquire the competences required to translate from Portuguese into English
b) To acquire an understanding of the main domains of the Humanities and Social Sciences
c) To reflect upon and improve strategies for solving the terminological and notional-cultural difficulties when translating Portuguese texts into English
d) To encourage lifelong learning with a high degree of autonomy
e) To practise the ability to collate data and produce glossaries
f) To develop the ability to reflect upon and self assess one´s own translations
g) To further develop English language skills and linguistic competence
Prerequisites
Minimum B2 (CEFR) level of English
Subject matter
Analysis of the field of the Social Sciences and Humanities;
Specific terminology;
Specific features including: abbreviations & acronyms; capitalisation; dates & time periods; false friends & difficult words; foreign words & loanwords; geographical names; proper names & titles; numbers & figures; spelling; symbols; technical terms; titles of publications.
Translation tools, processes, skills and strategies: correcting & dictionary skills; editing & researching; re-drafting; self-monitoring;
Research of topics and resources;
Production of glossaries for specific selected areas;
Translation of texts from among the following areas: History, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Media Studies, Political Science, History of Art, Music, Education.
Text types:
narrative/descriptive biography; accounts of events, news reports
expository/argumentative - articles; abstracts; academic papers
texts in the public domain - programmes; notices
Bibliography
American Council of Learned Societies (2006). Guidelines for the Translation of Social Science Texts. New York: ACLS
Calhoun, C. J. (2002). Dictionary of the Social Sciences. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
EC Directorate-General for Translation (2014). Style Guide. A handbook for authors and translators in the European Commission. Strasbourg: Directorate-General for Translation. Available at
Jabak, O. (n.d.). Why is translation into the mother tongue more successful than into a second language? Retrieved from
Robinson, D. (2003). Becoming a Translator: An Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Translation. London: Routledge.
Teaching method
Analysis and discussion of texts written in Portuguese;
Presentation and discussion of translation alternatives;
Individual or collaborative translation of selected texts in class or prepared at home;
Criticism, comparison, discussion, correction, editing and revising of versions of the same text translated by self, fellow students and others;
Reflection on the translation process and strategies.
Evaluation method
Coursework: 30% - active participation in class; translation of texts, with and without preparation, individual and in groups, in class and out of class; critical analysis of translated texts and difficulties; autonomy and ability to self-monitor.
Formal assessment: 70% - 2 class translation tasks (50%); 1 home task (20%)
Attendance: minimum 75% of classes