CHINESE-ENGLISH CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING

The course falls within the basic curriculum of the MA degree in Translation and Interpreting (TI) and aims to provide students with sound skills in Chinese-English consecutive interpreting in a number 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 cognitive load management techniques, as well as 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 simple 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) acquired in the language courses attended as part of the first year of the MA degree programme in Translation and Interpreting, 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 a variety of oral speeches from Chinese into English without losing the basic ideas, intent and stylistic level, and linguistic register. 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 drawn from digital media. 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 main course final exam 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 language practice course exam 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]

Monologue (solo) 3/15; midterm performance (scenes in pairs) 4,5/15: final show (virtual performance with invited audience) 7,5/15.

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING CRITERIA

Poor
≤17 - Inadequate, fragmentary and deficient knowledge of content, which is not understood or is understood and elaborated only partially. Inadequate reflective and expository skills.

Passing
18 - Very uncertain knowledge of content, which is to be consolidated, and is understood and elaborated in a very uncertain manner. Barely sufficient reflective and expository skills.
19 - Uncertain knowledge of content, which appears to be to be consolidated, and which is understood and elaborated in an uncertain manner. Sufficient reflective and expository skills.
20 - Sufficient knowledge of content, which is still partly to be consolidated, and is understood and elaborated in an uncertain manner. Sufficient reflective and expository skills.

Fair
21 - More than sufficient knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated with some uncertainty.
Fair reflective and expository skills.
22 - Fair knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated with some uncertainty. Fair reflective and expository skills.
23 - More than fair knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated with some uncertainty. Fair reflective and expository skills.

Good
24 - Correct knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated some uncertainty. Good reflective and expository skills.
25 - Correct knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated in a fairly secure manner. Good reflective and expository skills.
26 - Complete knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated in a fairly secure manner. Good reflective and expository skills.

Very good
27 - Complete knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated confidently. Very good reflective and expository skills.
28 - Complete and thorough knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated confidently. Very good reflective and expository skills.

Very good plus
29 - Broad and thorough knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated confidently with full autonomy and personal insights. Excellent reflective and expository skills, albeit with minor imperfections.
30 - Broad and thorough knowledge of content, which is understood and elaborated confidently with full autonomy and personal insights. Excellent reflective and expository skills.

Excellent
30 cum laude - Very thorough and cross-cutting knowledge of content, which is understood and eelaborated independently and with personal insights, with full command of language and excellent ability to make interdisciplinary connections. Outstanding reflective and expository skills.

[MAIN COURSE]

The course is taught by 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. Classes 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). The sign-up sheet for rehearsals will be available in Moodle.

English

The course is taught in English.

oral

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