Theory and Techniques of Spanish Translation
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a general knowledge of the main theoretical reflections developed in the field of translation studies and of the methodologies and techniques applicable to the translation of different types of written texts, as well as the acquisition of the specific terminology of the discipline.
These skills will also allow students, through the translation of several Spanish narrative texts to Italian, to enhance their abilities in: textual analysis; identification of the linguistic-rhetorical peculiarities of a literary work; elaboration of a translation strategy; linguistic documentation through lexicographic resources (dictionaries, corpora, databases); Italian rendering of a literary text in a foreign language; critical evaluation of the quality and characteristics of Italian translations of Spanish and Spanish-American narrative works.
These skills will also allow students, through the translation of several Spanish narrative texts to Italian, to enhance their abilities in: textual analysis; identification of the linguistic-rhetorical peculiarities of a literary work; elaboration of a translation strategy; linguistic documentation through lexicographic resources (dictionaries, corpora, databases); Italian rendering of a literary text in a foreign language; critical evaluation of the quality and characteristics of Italian translations of Spanish and Spanish-American narrative works.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- critically reflect on the main translation theories, both from a historical-cultural and methodological point of view;
- analyse a Spanish text in order to devise a translation strategy;
- consciously use their linguistic, literary and translating skills to produce an Italian version of a Spanish-language text;
- know and use the main lexicographic tools, both printed and computer-based, used in professional translation;
- justify and discuss, in written or oral form , their own translation choices;
- critically examine one or more Italian translations of a literary text in Spanish.
- critically reflect on the main translation theories, both from a historical-cultural and methodological point of view;
- analyse a Spanish text in order to devise a translation strategy;
- consciously use their linguistic, literary and translating skills to produce an Italian version of a Spanish-language text;
- know and use the main lexicographic tools, both printed and computer-based, used in professional translation;
- justify and discuss, in written or oral form , their own translation choices;
- critically examine one or more Italian translations of a literary text in Spanish.
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
Course syllabus
The course consists of three parts, which will proceed simultaneously:
A: Contemporary translation studies
B: Translating Spanish contemporary fiction: translation strategies
C: Practices. Flash fiction, short story, novel and no-fiction
Students who intend to acquire 6 CFU will comply with parts A and B of the program. Students who intend to acquire 9 CFU will comply with the full program.
Part A deals with some of the most relevant literary translation theories in the field of (not only) Spanish studies. (S. Basso, F. Buffoni, F. Cavagnoli, V. Magrelli, F. Nasi, J. Ortega y Gasset, O. Paz.) Essays will be read and discussed in class.
Part B will consist of reading and translating fiction texts written by Spanish and Hispano-American authors, focusing on linguistic, rhetorical and stylistic aspects. (G. Cabrera Infante, J. Cortázar, G. García Márquez, O. Paz.)
Part C practices will consist of a translation workshop which will deal with texts of different genres: ranging from flash fiction to escapist literature. (D. Chacón, F. Bermejo Rubio, G. Celorio, I. Falcones, E. Medel, A. Neuman, F. Tario, C. Usón).
The program of the 2021-22 course runs until February 2023.
A: Contemporary translation studies
B: Translating Spanish contemporary fiction: translation strategies
C: Practices. Flash fiction, short story, novel and no-fiction
Students who intend to acquire 6 CFU will comply with parts A and B of the program. Students who intend to acquire 9 CFU will comply with the full program.
Part A deals with some of the most relevant literary translation theories in the field of (not only) Spanish studies. (S. Basso, F. Buffoni, F. Cavagnoli, V. Magrelli, F. Nasi, J. Ortega y Gasset, O. Paz.) Essays will be read and discussed in class.
Part B will consist of reading and translating fiction texts written by Spanish and Hispano-American authors, focusing on linguistic, rhetorical and stylistic aspects. (G. Cabrera Infante, J. Cortázar, G. García Márquez, O. Paz.)
Part C practices will consist of a translation workshop which will deal with texts of different genres: ranging from flash fiction to escapist literature. (D. Chacón, F. Bermejo Rubio, G. Celorio, I. Falcones, E. Medel, A. Neuman, F. Tario, C. Usón).
The program of the 2021-22 course runs until February 2023.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which will be held in Italian, implies the reading, translation, and discussion of texts in Spanish, and requires strong skills in both languages as well as an adequate ability to analyze syntactical, rethorical, and stylistic structures.
Erasmus students, or students taking part in other exchange programs, will be admitted if provided with strong skills in both Spanish and Italian languages.
Erasmus students, or students taking part in other exchange programs, will be admitted if provided with strong skills in both Spanish and Italian languages.
Teaching methods
This is a seminar course. The three parts are based on active participation of the students who are expected to take part in the workshop, to analyse and examine different translations of a single text, and to discuss different theoretical perspectives and approaches to translation.
In parts B and C students are supposed to translate a short text every week that will be then analysed and commented in class. A translation slam will be simulated with group work.
In parts B and C students are supposed to translate a short text every week that will be then analysed and commented in class. A translation slam will be simulated with group work.
Teaching Resources
All teaching materials will be supplied by professors during the course and/or digitally uploaded for the students in the Unimi Ariel platform.
As pointed out in the program description, compulsory texts for each part will coincide with the texts discussed during the lessons.
In addition to the texts read and/or translated during the classes, students will be provided with an extra critical and methodological literature, so to further investigate the discussed subjects and issues.
Not attending students
Due to the specific nature and the practical approach of the course, attendance is strictly recommended. For this reason, students who do not attend the course are kindly invited to contact the professor during the course (i.e. before the end of classes) in order to arrange a custom program, with adequate preparation and evaluation.
As pointed out in the program description, compulsory texts for each part will coincide with the texts discussed during the lessons.
In addition to the texts read and/or translated during the classes, students will be provided with an extra critical and methodological literature, so to further investigate the discussed subjects and issues.
Not attending students
Due to the specific nature and the practical approach of the course, attendance is strictly recommended. For this reason, students who do not attend the course are kindly invited to contact the professor during the course (i.e. before the end of classes) in order to arrange a custom program, with adequate preparation and evaluation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Parts B and C include a written translation exam at the end of the course. The exam will contribute to the final evaluation.
The oral test is an individual interview that will consist of questions about theoretical essays of the part A, of professor-student interactions and analysis about translation choices of one or more of the texts translated during the course and during written translated exam.
Oral test aims to prove the knowledge of the essays, the ability in evaluating the peculiarities of each text, the expositive skills, the accuracy in using critical terminology, the expertise in analysing texts and making methodological considerations about texts and different translation options. Upon the student's request, the interview will be in Italian or Spanish. The final mark is expressed in thirtieth, and the student will be free to accept or reject it (in this last case, it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in due time. The examination modalities for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be discussed with the professor and in agreement with the competent Office.
The oral test is an individual interview that will consist of questions about theoretical essays of the part A, of professor-student interactions and analysis about translation choices of one or more of the texts translated during the course and during written translated exam.
Oral test aims to prove the knowledge of the essays, the ability in evaluating the peculiarities of each text, the expositive skills, the accuracy in using critical terminology, the expertise in analysing texts and making methodological considerations about texts and different translation options. Upon the student's request, the interview will be in Italian or Spanish. The final mark is expressed in thirtieth, and the student will be free to accept or reject it (in this last case, it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor in due time. The examination modalities for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be discussed with the professor and in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/07 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - SPANISH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/07 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - SPANISH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/07 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - SPANISH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours