Theory and Techniques of French Translation

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/04
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course will focus on reflection on the basis of translated studies and ability to produce good quality, potentially publishable texts through translations with a gradual difficulty level.
Expected learning outcomes
The course includes a first part (Modules A and B) in which to reflect on the studies of translation, particularly literary translation. In this first part, from a translating and contrasting point of view, we will reflect on the context and the linguistic code, with particular attention to the Italian language. The second part of the course (Module C) will deal with the translation of some literary texts of gradual difficulty, with particular attention to the context and purpose of each proposed passage. The exam will consist of a written test (translation of a literary passage of about 3000 characters) and an oral test (discussion of the proposed translation) in French.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled Translation between Italian and French: principles and practice and consists of the following three teaching units:
A: History and theory of translation and 'versions'. (20 hours, 3 CFU);
B: Principles and practice in contrastive 'thèmes'. (20 hours, 3 CFU);
C: Author's translations. (20 hours, 3 CFU).

Students intending to acquire 6 CFU will stick to the syllabus of units A and B; all students intending to acquire 9 CFU will stick to the complete syllabus (units A, B and C).
The three units (A, B and C) will be covered in the second semester.

Units A and B aim to initiate a reflection on translanguaging studies, particularly concerning literary translation. In this phase, the linguistic code will also be reflected upon from a translation and contrastive perspective.
Unit C will deal with the author's translation of some literary texts.

The course program is accepted until February 2027. Since the summer session of 2027, students will have to study the 2025-26 course program exclusively.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, taught in French and Italian, the course materials and the bibliography require a good competence both in French and Italian.
Teaching methods
The course employs the following teaching methods: lectures, translation assignments, group reading and analysis of source and target texts, seminars on translation for literature.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the Ariel online teaching platform on which students can find all the texts and materials provided during the lessons.

Bibliography for attending students

Bramati A. (a cura di), Théorie et pratique de la traduction du français vers l'italien, Lumi, Milano 2023 [dispensa disponibile presso la Libreria LUMI di Sesto San Giovanni. Mail: [email protected]; tel. 02.83.41.38.30 oppure 338.995508]

Oustinoff M., La traduction, PUF ("Que sais-je?"), 2022 (1a ed. 2003)

Umberto ECO, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Bompiani, 2003

Diadori P., Teoria e tecnica della traduzione. Strategie, testi e contesti, Le Monnier, Milano, 2012, pp. 1-80

Josiane PODEUR, Jeux de traduction/Giochi di traduzione, Napoli, Liguori, 2009

Introduction to PETRA Framework: https://petra-educationframework.eu/introduction/

Bibliography for non-attending students

Bramati A. (a cura di), Théorie et pratique de la traduction du français vers l'italien, Lumi, Milano 2023 [dispensa disponibile presso la Libreria LUMI di Sesto San Giovanni. Mail: [email protected]; tel. 02.83.41.38.30 oppure 338.995508]

Oustinoff M., La traduction, PUF ("Que sais-je?"), 2022 (1a ed. 2003)

Umberto ECO, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Bompiani, 2003

Diadori P., Teoria e tecnica della traduzione. Strategie, testi e contesti, Le Monnier, Milano, 2012, pp. 1-80
Josiane PODEUR, Jeux de traduction/Giochi di traduzione, Napoli, Liguori, 2009

Josiane Podeur, La pratica della traduzione. Dal francese in italiano e dall'italiano al francese, Liguori, Napoli 1993.

Antoine BERMAN, L'épreuve de l'étranger. Culture et traduction dans l'Allemagne romantique, Gallimard, 1984

Introduction to PETRA Framework: https://petra-educationframework.eu/introduction/

Students choosing the 9 CFU attending and non-attending exam will refer to the bibliographies above, adding the following two contributions:

- A. Della Rocca, L'espressione della temporalità nelle traduzioni italiane de "La Peste" di Albert Camus, «Ricognizioni. Rivista di lingue, letterature e culture moderne», 17, 2022 (X), pp. 171-185

- Jean SOUBRIER et Christian THUDEROZ, Traduire, est-ce négocier ? In : Négociations 2010/2 (n°14), pp. 37-57, consultable en ligne https://www.cairn.info/revue-negociations-2010-2-page-37.htm
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is made up of a preliminary translation test and of an oral test. The written test consists of the translation of a literary passage of about 3000 characters. The time allowed is 4 hours. Students can bring their laptops (for electronic dictionaries) or their paper dictionaries - both bilingual and monolingual. The oral test includes open questions and a critical discussion and analysis of the student's translation. bibliography. This part is carried out in French.

The written test aims at verifying the students' comprehension of French literary texts, as well as the lexical, terminological and rhetorical accuracy of their translations into Italian, and their rendering of the syntactic structure and cultural aspects of the source text. The mark is expressed in thirtieths. The results will be sent by email or uploaded on the course website within the date chosen for the oral exam. Students are free to reject the mark, by emailing their decision to [email protected] before the oral test. Candidates can check their revised test during the oral exam. The oral test is meant to verify the candidate's ability to contextualize authors and works, their terminological accuracy and their critical thinking about the topics addressed in the course. The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and students are free to reject it during the exam.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours