English Specialised Translation
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
This is a one-semester, 40 hour course, divided into two teaching units.
In the first part of the course some of the main issues in Transation Studies will be introduced, and discussed not only in theoretical terms, but also looking at their relevance to translating practice through the analysis and translation of selected journalistic, academic and technical texts.
The second part of the course will focus on the legal domain. In particular it will look at the main difficulties involved in legal translation at various linguistic levels (discourse, syntax, phraseology, terminology), as well as those due to legal and intecultural differences, and discuss some possible solutions in a professional perspective.
In the first part of the course some of the main issues in Transation Studies will be introduced, and discussed not only in theoretical terms, but also looking at their relevance to translating practice through the analysis and translation of selected journalistic, academic and technical texts.
The second part of the course will focus on the legal domain. In particular it will look at the main difficulties involved in legal translation at various linguistic levels (discourse, syntax, phraseology, terminology), as well as those due to legal and intecultural differences, and discuss some possible solutions in a professional perspective.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have developed a full awareness of the main issues in Translation Studies and of their practical relevance. They will be able to translate correctly and appropriately journalistic and domain-specific texts, and in particular various kinds of authentic legal documents (international contracts, judgments, arbitration awards, etc.).
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Teaching methods
Classes will be live-streamed on Microsoft Teams, following the lessons timetable. Live-streamed classes will be recorded and will be available on the online platform. Relevant information about how to join the classes on Microsoft Teams will be available on the ARIEL course website together with other instructions. Please check it regularly.
If it becomes possible to attend classes directly in the University, students will be informed promptly through the ARIEL course website. Return to in-person classes will depend on developments in the health crisis and safety regulations. In any event all classes will be recorded and will be available on the online platform.
The course will alternate and combine lectures, seminar teaching and translation analyses.
Course syllabus and Teaching Resources
The course program and the teaching materials are unchanged.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessments methods and criteria are unchanged: the written exam will be admnistered either in person, on the University premises, or through Microsoft Teams, depending on the regulations in force at that time.
Classes will be live-streamed on Microsoft Teams, following the lessons timetable. Live-streamed classes will be recorded and will be available on the online platform. Relevant information about how to join the classes on Microsoft Teams will be available on the ARIEL course website together with other instructions. Please check it regularly.
If it becomes possible to attend classes directly in the University, students will be informed promptly through the ARIEL course website. Return to in-person classes will depend on developments in the health crisis and safety regulations. In any event all classes will be recorded and will be available on the online platform.
The course will alternate and combine lectures, seminar teaching and translation analyses.
Course syllabus and Teaching Resources
The course program and the teaching materials are unchanged.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessments methods and criteria are unchanged: the written exam will be admnistered either in person, on the University premises, or through Microsoft Teams, depending on the regulations in force at that time.
Course syllabus
Module 1 - Translation: from Theory to Practice (20 hours)
Main notions in translation theory. Translation norms and strategies for application to various kinds of texts, especially academic and technical-scientific. Discussion of practical examples. Computer and documentary tools for the translator, translation programmes and online resources.
Module 2 - Translating Legal Genres (20 hours)
Distinctive characteristics and main features of legal texts in English, native and hybrid (supra-national and international), and comparison with Italian comparable texts with a view to translation. Approaches to legal translation. Problems involved in the translation of legal terminology. Use of specific resources and documentary tools. Translation strategies and text genres. Translation of representative authentic texts.
Main notions in translation theory. Translation norms and strategies for application to various kinds of texts, especially academic and technical-scientific. Discussion of practical examples. Computer and documentary tools for the translator, translation programmes and online resources.
Module 2 - Translating Legal Genres (20 hours)
Distinctive characteristics and main features of legal texts in English, native and hybrid (supra-national and international), and comparison with Italian comparable texts with a view to translation. Approaches to legal translation. Problems involved in the translation of legal terminology. Use of specific resources and documentary tools. Translation strategies and text genres. Translation of representative authentic texts.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have advanced command of English and native or near-native proficiency in Italian.
Students must also have a good preliminary knowledge of the main characteristics of domain-specific discourse in English. For those who are not familiar with specialised discourse, the following textbook is prescribed for preliminary reading:
- Lawrence Venuti (ed.) 2000, The Translation Studies Reader, London & New York, Routledge.
Students must also have a good preliminary knowledge of the main characteristics of domain-specific discourse in English. For those who are not familiar with specialised discourse, the following textbook is prescribed for preliminary reading:
- Lawrence Venuti (ed.) 2000, The Translation Studies Reader, London & New York, Routledge.
Teaching methods
The course will adopt the methodologies typical of the most recent Translation Studies, especially from the English-speaking tradition.
Teaching Resources
Module 1
- Grego, K. 2010. Specialized translation: Theoretical issues, operational perspectives. Monza: Polimetrica International Scientific Publisher. [This text, out of print, will be made available to students on the course's website].
Selected readings from the following textbook, which will be made available for download on the course's website:
- Garzone, G. 2015., Le traduzioni come fuzzy set. Percorsi teorici e applicativi. Milano: LED Edizioni.
Module 2
Selected readings made available for download on the course website. For further information, please refer to the course's website.
- Grego, K. 2010. Specialized translation: Theoretical issues, operational perspectives. Monza: Polimetrica International Scientific Publisher. [This text, out of print, will be made available to students on the course's website].
Selected readings from the following textbook, which will be made available for download on the course's website:
- Garzone, G. 2015., Le traduzioni come fuzzy set. Percorsi teorici e applicativi. Milano: LED Edizioni.
Module 2
Selected readings made available for download on the course website. For further information, please refer to the course's website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam
- translation from English into Italian of an excerpt of about 150 words, chosen by the candidate from two given, a scientific or technical one and a legal one (60 minutes);
- a short questionnaire in English on theoretical aspects of translation (30 minutes).
The use of various kind of lexicographic materials is allowed (bi-lingual dictionary, thesaurus, glossaries, online terminological resources). Students for whom Italian is not the native language may also use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Oral exam
An interview based on the discussion of the written test.
Students may be given the opportunity to sit an interim test at the end of each module. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
- translation from English into Italian of an excerpt of about 150 words, chosen by the candidate from two given, a scientific or technical one and a legal one (60 minutes);
- a short questionnaire in English on theoretical aspects of translation (30 minutes).
The use of various kind of lexicographic materials is allowed (bi-lingual dictionary, thesaurus, glossaries, online terminological resources). Students for whom Italian is not the native language may also use a bilingual dictionary between their first language and Italian.
Oral exam
An interview based on the discussion of the written test.
Students may be given the opportunity to sit an interim test at the end of each module. Marks obtained in the interim tests will go towards the formulation of the final mark.
L-LIN/12 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - ENGLISH - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Gallitelli Eleonora