Theory and Techniques of German Translation
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to some essential themes of linguistic and hermeneutical reflection on translation, focusing in particular on the translation theory developed in the German area from romanticism to the present. In the practical part of the course the students are asked to confront themselves with the translation of texts belonging to different literary genres.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: In the theoretical part of the course students refine their sensitivity to some linguistic and hermeneutical aspects of translation through reflection on some translation theory. Applying knowledge and understanding: In the practical part of the course students learn through discussion and comparison to find concrete solutions to some difficulties encountered in the translation of texts belonging to different literary genres.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
In consideration of the limitations imposed on teaching by the anti-covid measures, the teaching will take place synchronously online, on the TEAMS platform or possibly on the Zoom platform. The lessons will still be recorded and can therefore also be used asynchronously. In part of the meetings, the theory of translation will be discussed and the texts made available will be interpreted. In another part of the lessons, the translations of literary texts and literary criticism texts that the students will have done on their own at home will be corrected together and commented on.
Course syllabus
The title of the course is "Theories of metaphor and metaphors of translation". The course is divided into the following three teaching units, which will be addressed in parallel:
A: Theories of metaphor and metaphors of translation
B: Technique of literary translation
C: Technique of translating literary theory texts
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
The term "translation" is already a metaphor, closely linked, among other things, to the root of the Greek verb "metaphorein". It is therefore no coincidence that over the centuries, starting at least from Latinity, through the Renaissance and up to modernity, a real "metaphorology" of translation has developed. The analysis of the many metaphors used by many authors - in our case mainly German - to try to grasp some of the main characteristics of the act of translation will serve to reflect on the translation and on the different translation theories developed especially in the German context. In addition to the theoretical part, the course also includes practical exercises in translation from German into Italian, which will be divided into two sections. The first provides exercises in the translation of literary texts, with particular attention to the translation of metaphors. The second section, instead, will focus on translations of theory and literary criticism texts.
A: Theories of metaphor and metaphors of translation
B: Technique of literary translation
C: Technique of translating literary theory texts
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
The term "translation" is already a metaphor, closely linked, among other things, to the root of the Greek verb "metaphorein". It is therefore no coincidence that over the centuries, starting at least from Latinity, through the Renaissance and up to modernity, a real "metaphorology" of translation has developed. The analysis of the many metaphors used by many authors - in our case mainly German - to try to grasp some of the main characteristics of the act of translation will serve to reflect on the translation and on the different translation theories developed especially in the German context. In addition to the theoretical part, the course also includes practical exercises in translation from German into Italian, which will be divided into two sections. The first provides exercises in the translation of literary texts, with particular attention to the translation of metaphors. The second section, instead, will focus on translations of theory and literary criticism texts.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held in Italian, but uses didactic materials in German and provides for the translation of German texts into Italian, presupposes an excellent knowledge of both German and Italian.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on scheduled texts; translation of texts from German into Italian with comment and possible comparison with other existing translations.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://acostazzatttt.ariel.ctu.unimi.it)which can be consulted for educational materials to download in PDF format.
Teaching unit A
The translation theory texts that will be treated will be provided in class and made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit B
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit C
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Bibliography
Max Black, Modelli Archetipi Metafore, Parma 1983;
Hans Blumenberg, Paradigmen zu einer Metaphorologie (1960), Frankfurt a.M. 2013 (Paradigmi per una metaforologia, Milano, 2009);
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Torino 1997;
Umberto Eco, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Milano 2003;
Katrin Kohl, Metapher, Stuttgart 2007;
Werner Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft. Wiesbaden 51997;
Gerhard Kurz, Metapher, Allegorie, Symbol. Göttingen 41997;
Siri Nergaard (a cura di), La teoria della traduzione nella storia, Milano 1993;
Siri Nergarrd (a cura di), Teorie contemporanee della traduzione, Milano 1995;
Paul Ricoeur, La metafora viva, Milano 1981 (La métaphore vive, 1975);
Hans Joachim Störig (Hrsg.), Das Problem des Ubersetzens, Darmstadt 1973.
Teaching unit A
The translation theory texts that will be treated will be provided in class and made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit B
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit C
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Bibliography
Max Black, Modelli Archetipi Metafore, Parma 1983;
Hans Blumenberg, Paradigmen zu einer Metaphorologie (1960), Frankfurt a.M. 2013 (Paradigmi per una metaforologia, Milano, 2009);
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Torino 1997;
Umberto Eco, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Milano 2003;
Katrin Kohl, Metapher, Stuttgart 2007;
Werner Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft. Wiesbaden 51997;
Gerhard Kurz, Metapher, Allegorie, Symbol. Göttingen 41997;
Siri Nergaard (a cura di), La teoria della traduzione nella storia, Milano 1993;
Siri Nergarrd (a cura di), Teorie contemporanee della traduzione, Milano 1995;
Paul Ricoeur, La metafora viva, Milano 1981 (La métaphore vive, 1975);
Hans Joachim Störig (Hrsg.), Das Problem des Ubersetzens, Darmstadt 1973.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of one or two preliminary written tests and an oral test. Students who choose the nine-credit exam will take two preliminary tests plus the oral test, while those who choose the six-credit test will only have to take a preliminary test and an oral test. The preliminary tests consist of translations, similar to those practiced during the lessons, of a literary text and a text of literary criticism. The evaluation of the written tests will be expressed in thirtieths and will average with the mark of the oral exam. The written test must be taken in the same session, before the oral one, on a date which will be indicated well in advance. There will be a written test for each exam session. As for the theoretical part, the exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between the teacher and the student and the analysis and comment of one or more scheduled texts. The interview takes place in Italian and aims to verify the understanding of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability to exhibit, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to critically and personally reflect on proposed themes. The mark of the oral test, expressed in thirtieths, will average with that or those of the written tests.
The student has the right to reject both the mark of the written tests, repeating them in another session, and the final mark (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The student has the right to reject both the mark of the written tests, repeating them in another session, and the final mark (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours