Translation Practice in Science and Technology (Portuguese-English)
Code
711121060
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
Carolyn Leslie
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) To acquire the competences required to translate from Portuguese into English
b) To acquire an understanding of the main domains of Science and Technology
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 acquire the ability to collate data and produce glossaries
f) To develop the ability to reflect upon and self assess your own translations
g) To further develop English language skills and linguistic competence
h) To consider the scope and limitations of technical translation carried out by translators with a background in Social Sciences and Humanities
Prerequisites
Non-applicable.
Subject matter
Analysis of the field of Science and Technology;
Specific terminology;
Specific features including: abbreviations & acronyms; capitalisation; dates & time periods; false friends & difficult words; foreign words & loanwords; units of measurment; names & titles; numbers & figures; ranges; spelling; scientific 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: genetics, oncology, immunology, zoology, pharmacology, biology, microbiology, biotechnology, power technology, manufacturing technology.
Text types used: Popular scientific and technological texts, academic texts, scientific papers, scientific and technological reports, scientific abstracts, information leaflets.
Bibliography
Byrne, J. (2010). Technical translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Dordrecht: Springer.
Byrne, J. (2012). Scientific and Technical Translation Explained. Manchester: St Jerome Publishing.
EC Directorate-General for Translation (2014). Style Guide. A handbook for authors and translators in the European Commission. Strasbourg: Directorate-General for Translation
Mossop, B. (2010). Revising and Editing for Translators (Translation Practices Explained). Manchester: St Jerome Publishing.
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