CHINESE-ENGLISH CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING

The course is part of the core curriculum of the MA programme in Translation and Interpreting (TI) and aims to provide students with solid skills in Chinese–English consecutive interpreting across a range of specialised domains.
Specifically, the course aims to:
• develop students' understanding of the principles and techniques of consecutive interpreting, as well as of major interpreting theories and their practical application;
• build a specialised Chinese–English technical vocabulary across a variety of professional fields;
• enhance students' memorisation, note-taking, cognitive load management, and communication skills required for effective consecutive interpreting.

By attending and actively participating in the course, students will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes:
1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic specialised vocabulary of a range of professional domains in Chinese and English (including the concepts and processes it refers to), as well as the main syntactic structures of both languages, and understand oral texts in which they are employed.
1.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural norms governing Chinese–English consecutive interpreting and of the role of intercultural communication in interpreting practice.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
2.1 Use specialised Chinese and English vocabulary and the relevant syntactic structures accurately in a range of interpreting contexts.
2.2 Apply intercultural competence effectively in Chinese–English consecutive interpreting.
3. Making judgements
3.1 Formulate, evaluate, and justify translation and interpreting choices in Chinese and English, adopting a critical approach to alternative solutions.
4. Communication skills
4.1 Perform Chinese–English consecutive interpreting tasks using appropriate terminology, register, and linguistic structures.
5. Learning skills
5.1 Compile, manage, and critically evaluate specialised Chinese–English glossaries, expanding them independently according to specific interpreting assignments and professional needs.

Students are expected to have acquired a good command of Chinese (including vocabulary and syntactic structures) through the language courses taken during the first year of the MA programme in Translation and Interpreting, particularly Chinese–Italian Consecutive Interpreting 1. They are also expected to have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of consecutive interpreting and note-taking techniques.

During the course, students will further explore the principles and practice of interpreting, with particular attention to the challenges involved in rendering a variety of spoken texts from Chinese into English while preserving their meaning, communicative intent, stylistic features, and register. The course will also introduce students to the professional contexts and career opportunities available in the fields of translation and interpreting.

Given the practical nature of the course, most teaching materials will be drawn from digital media. These will include pre-recorded audio and video recordings of speeches, dialogues, interviews, television programmes, and other authentic spoken materials, as well as live presentations. Additional recommended readings and learning resources will be provided throughout the course.

The main course examination consists of a Chinese–English consecutive interpreting task based on a short speech (approximately two minutes in length) representing one of the text types covered during the course and focusing on one of the topics discussed in class. The assessment methods for the language practice component are currently being finalised.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Poor
≤17 – Inadequate, fragmentary, and deficient knowledge of the course content. Limited understanding and ability to apply or elaborate on the material. Inadequate analytical and communication skills.

Passing
18 – Very limited knowledge of the course content, requiring substantial consolidation. Weak understanding and application of the material. Barely sufficient analytical and communication skills.
19 – Limited knowledge of the course content, requiring further consolidation. Partial understanding and somewhat uncertain application of the material. Sufficient analytical and communication skills.
20 – Sufficient knowledge of the course content, although still requiring further consolidation. Adequate understanding and application of the material, albeit with some uncertainty. Sufficient analytical and communication skills.

Fair
21 – More than sufficient knowledge of the course content. Generally sound understanding and application, though still marked by some uncertainty. Fair analytical and communication skills.
22 – Fair knowledge of the course content. Sound understanding and application, with occasional uncertainty. Fair analytical and communication skills.
23 – Good knowledge of the course content. Sound understanding and application, with only minor uncertainty. Fair analytical and communication skills.

Good
24 – Good knowledge of the course content. Correct understanding and application, although not always fully confident. Good analytical and communication skills.
25 – Good knowledge of the course content. Secure understanding and application of the material. Good analytical and communication skills.
26 – Complete knowledge of the course content. Secure understanding and application of the material. Good analytical and communication skills.

Very Good
27 – Complete knowledge of the course content. Confident understanding and application of the material. Very good analytical and communication skills.
28 – Complete and thorough knowledge of the course content. Confident understanding and application of the material. Very good analytical and communication skills.

Very Good Plus
29 – Broad and thorough knowledge of the course content. Confident and autonomous understanding and application of the material, supported by original insights. Excellent analytical and communication skills, with only minor imperfections.
30 – Broad and thorough knowledge of the course content. Confident, autonomous, and insightful understanding and application of the material. Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Excellent
30 cum laude – Outstanding, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary knowledge of the course content. Independent, critical, and insightful understanding and application of the material, demonstrating full command of language and an excellent ability to establish interdisciplinary connections. Outstanding analytical and communication skills.

The course consists of lectures, simulated consecutive interpreting sessions, and a language practice component.

The course is taught in English.