TRANSLATION METHODS AND TEXT TYPOLOGIES FOR CHINESE TRANSLATION

"Translation methods and text typologies for Chinese translation", is one of the courses characterizing the master’s Degree Program in "Translation and Interpreting". It aims to provide students with basic methodological tools for translation. The course, in particular, aims to develop students’ ability in analysing texts (both on a linguistic and a translation level) of different typologies and in understanding their cultural specificities. These abilities will be trained through the translation activity carried out along the whole course, and will be further developed in the translation courses of the second year.

The course aims to :
• lead students to a deeper understanding of the Chinese written language, as it is used in different types of texts
• strengthen students’ ability in analyzing texts on different levels (linguistic, textual, and in view of a translation)
• introduce students to Chinese-Italian translation.

Students will need an intermediate/advanced knowledge of the Chinese language and of the Italian language.

The course is divided into two parts. The second part (which takes place during the second term) will focus on advanced texts of different types written in Chinese: the texts will be critically read, analyzed and translated. Special attention will be given to linguistic, syntactic and textual characteristics of the Chinese written language in different texts. This analytical and translation work is the basis for the more in-depth study of translation theory and practice which is conducted during the second part of the course.
During classes, students will be invited to actively reflect and discuss on the texts and their proposed translations.

BIBLIOGRAPHY for Mod. 1

• Feng Shengli, "Modern Chinese: Written Chinese", in The Routledge Encyclopedia of the Chinese Language, Chan Sin-wai ed., 2016, pp. 645-663.
• Yu Feng, A Learners' handbook of modern Chinese written expressions, Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 2000
• Osimo B., Il manuale del traduttore, Milano, Hoepli, 2011.
• Serianni L., Italiani scritti, Mulino, Bologna, 2007.
• Siri Nergaard (ed.), Teorie contemporanee della traduzione, Bompiani, Milano, 1995 (in particular Jakobson R., “Aspetti linguistici della traduzione”, 1959, pp. 51-62.)

SUGGESTED READING
Jhumpa Lahiri, In altre parole, Guanda, 2015

SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS
Baker M., In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation, Routledge, London & New York, 1992.
Bassnett, La Traduzione. Teoria e pratica, Bompiani, Milano, 1993.
Delisle J., Lee-Jahnke H. e Cormier M. C., Terminologia della traduzione, Hoepli, Milano, 2002.
Scarpa F., La traduzione specializzata, Hoepli, Milano, 2002.
Newmark P., A Textbook of Translation, Prentice Hall, London, 1988.

Popovič A., La scienza della traduzione, Hoepli, Milano, 2006.

Venuti L. (a cura di), The Translation Studies Reader (2° ed.), Routledge, New York & London, 2004.

The final exam is a written translation of a text from Chinese into Italian; answers to theoretical questions on translation are also required.

Lessons with active participation by students. All texts to be translated will be available on the Moodle platform. Students are required to translate the assigned text before each class, and to present their translation in class, in order to stimulate discussion on text interpretation and translation. Group activities will be also organized.

Italian

Classes will be in Italian.

In order to be able to take the exam, the students are required to deliver all the translations made during the course (together with translation comments and terminological glossaries). The assignment should be delivered at least one week before the exam. In case of serious shortcomings, the student will be required to revise it before the exam. Should the final work not meet the requirements, penalties will be applied to the final grade calculation (up to two points). If the assignment is deemed insufficient and requires extensive revision and rewriting, the student will be allowed to take the exam only at the next exam session.

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