CHINESE-ENGLISH CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING

The course falls within the basic curriculum of the MA degree in Interpreting and Translation for Editorial and Specialised Purposes, and aims to provide students with sound skills in Chinese-English consecutive interpreting in a variety of specialised fields.
The course aims to: develop the knowledge of the criteria and principles of consecutive interpreting, as well as of interpretation theories and their practical application; build a technical lexicon in Chinese and English with reference to various specialised fields; develop memorization and note-taking techniques and communication skills.

[MAIN COURSE]

By attending and taking part in the activities of the course, the students will be able to achieve the following results:
1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1. Knowing the basic vocabulary of a variety of specialised fields in English and Chinese (and the processes that such lexicon describes) and the syntactic structures of Chinese and English, as well as understanding the oral texts that use them
1.2 Knowing the cultural norms that govern the practice of Chinese-English consecutive interpreting and the importance of intercultural communication
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
2.1 Being able to correctly use the specialised vocabulary and syntactic structures of Chinese and English employed in a variety of specialised fields in all the processes that require the application and communication of the knowledge acquired
2.2 Being able to apply intercultural competence to the practice of Chinese-English consecutive interpreting
3. Making judgements
3.1 Being able to formulate and justify hypotheses in the Chinese and English delivery, developing a critical approach to the assessment of alternative hypotheses
4. Communication skills
4.1 Being able to conduct a Chinese-English consecutive interpreting using the appropriate vocabulary and linguistic structures
5. Learning skills
5.1 Being able to critically use specialised Chinese-English glossaries and independently expanding them according to specific needs

[LANGUAGE PRACTICE]

This course aims to address translation problems in drama, such as issues of actability, non-verbal subtext, cultural and staging conventions.

[MAIN COURSE]

Knowledge of the Chinese language (vocabulary and syntactic structures) achieved thanks to the language courses attended in the first year of the MA degree programme in Interpreting and Translation for Editorial and Specialised Purposes, especially the course in Chinese-Italian Consecutive Interpreting 1. A sound knowledge of the basic principles of consecutive interpreting and note-taking is required.

[MAIN COURSE]

During the main course we will continue to explore the basic principles of translation and interpretation, the challenges and problems involved in rendering both written texts and oral statements from Chinese into English without losing the basic ideas, intent and stylistic level, and linguistic register. Illustrations and discussion of a variety of short modern texts in the fields of political/social science, economics, literature, and journalism. Possible careers in translation and interpretation will be also discussed.
The language practice course will focus on the preparation of a multilingual show, whose aim is to strengthen the interpreter's basic skills (not limited to language proficiency, but also including public speaking skills, individual and teamwork organizational skills etc.).

[LANGUAGE PRACTICE]

We will investigate what is involved in translating an effective playtext, what particular skills are required in dramatic translation and how translators might collaborate effectively with theatre professionals. We shall address the translator’s actual and potential degree of involvement in the rehearsal and performance process. Students will themselves study, rehearse and perform the material they develop.

[MAIN COURSE]

Due to the nature of the course, most of the material will be derived from topical sources such as the press, electronic media, and government publications. Pre-recorded audio and video of speeches, dialogue, interviews, TV shows, etc. as well as live presentations, may also be used. Further recommended readings will be indicated in due time.

[MAIN COURSE]

The exam for the main course consists in the Chinese-English consecutive interpreting of a short (ca. 2 minutes) text falling into the text types discussed during the main course and focusing on one of the topics addressed in the classroom. The exam for the language practice course is based on the multilingual show or on an English-language paper, focusing on a topic to be agreed upon with the teacher. For assessment purposes, the ratio between the main course and the language practice course is 50:50, with each part being allocated 15/30 points.

[LANGUAGE PRACTICE]

There will be three different components :
Monologue (solo) 6/30 : students prepare and perform one short monologue in English and one in Chinese.
Midterm performance (scenes in pairs) 9/30 : Students translate a scene by Gao Xingjian (Nobel Laureate in Literature 2000) from Chinese to English and perform it in English.
Final show (virtual performance with invited audience) 15/30 : Students translate a scene based on Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen from English to Chinese and perform it in Chinese.
Students will receive feedback and interim grades each time they complete a component.
All scripts will be provided by instructor. All roles (Pride and Prejudice) will be assigned by instructor based on the two monologues and the mid-term performances.
All tasks will be performed via Zoom. Solo monologues and midterm group performances will not be open to the public. The final show may have an invited audience.
note: all final scripts must be translated and edited by students and submitted by start of rehearsals. The instructor will be happy to give suggestions on the script, but he will not edit or correct your script. The quality of text work will be considered in grading.
* Due to the nature of this class, lectures will be not recorded.

[MAIN COURSE]

The course is taught through stand-up lectures and simulated consecutive interpreting sessions, and also involves a language practice course.

[LANGUAGE PRACTICE]

The aim of these classes is not to prepare students for acting careers, but rather to transform them into insightful interpreters. This involves learning how to listen and communicate more effectively; how to become more relaxed, present and persuasive in public; and how to work with each other and support each other in a performative situation, through the study of techniques used by actors and directors in the theatre.
Virtual classes conducted via Zoom will include practical work in groups, in pairs and solo, as well as discussion and Q&A. Significant further study, preparation and line-learning will be required between sessions. Students will receive regular feedback from their tutor throughout the course, as appropriate. Work is conducted in small groups as well as on a one-to-one basis. All classes are compulsory.
This course will total 60 hours, of which 30 hours are comprised of lectures and class activities and 30 hours of scheduled as well as self-administered lab work. (regular rehearsals, dress rehearsals and final performance in groups) Sign up sheet for rehearsals will be available in Moodle.

English

The course will be taught in English.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development