CHINESE-ENGLISH TRANSLATION

This course provides students with:

• an introduction to the professional practice of translation for the Chinese-English language pair;
• hands-on experience in translating a variety of texts;
• guidance in developing terminology research skills and preparation techniques.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• understand and apply common translation strategies for the Chinese-English language pair;
• develop independent and reflective learning skills;
• carry out Chinese-English translation tasks in a professional manner;
• handle translation of specialized texts in selected subject areas, in both directions.

Students should possess intermediate reading and writing skills in both Chinese and English.

The course aims to teach Chinese-English translation techniques and illustrate their application through practical examples. Topics include translation theories, text analysis, managing cultural differences, strategies for rendering specialized terminology, and correction of common translation errors. The objective is to enhance students’ translation competence and strengthen their intercultural communication skills.

Due to the nature of the course, most of the materials will be drawn from topical sources such as the press, electronic media, and official publications. Audio and video materials (e.g., speeches, dialogues, interviews, TV broadcasts) as well as live presentations may also be used. Additional recommended readings will be indicated during the course.

The final assessment consists of two components:

1. A written exam (duration: 2 hours), during which students will complete a Chinese-to-English translation task. The exam is designed to evaluate the key translation skills developed during the course.

2. An individual essay (approx. 15 pages), to be submitted at least one week before the official exam session, on one of the following topics:

• a general analysis of translation strategies applied to the Chinese-English language pair;
• a focused discussion on translation strategies in the field of museums and cultural heritage.

The essay must include proper citations, bibliographic references, and a final bibliography in line with academic conventions.
Essays submitted after the deadline will not be considered for assessment purposes.
The essay will account for 30% of the final exam grade.

written

Final grades will be awarded on a scale from 18 to 30, with the possibility of honours (30 cum laude) for outstanding performance.
The written exam accounts for 70%, and the individual essay counts for 30% of the final grade.

The teaching methods adopted in this course include:

• Lectures: Each session begins with an introduction to key theoretical concepts, strategies, and fundamental techniques for Chinese-English translation.
• In-class exercises under time constraints: Students complete short translation tasks with limited time. These exercises are followed by peer review and group discussion, encouraging collaborative learning and critical reflection.
• Homework and feedback: At the end of each session, students are assigned translation tasks as homework. Individual feedback is provided in the following class, with discussion of common errors and suggested improvement strategies.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development