COMPARATIVE HISTORY AND THEORY OF TRANSLATION

The course falls within the basic curriculum of the MA degree in Translation and Interpreting (TI). It aims to provide students with sound theoretical knowledge of translation theory and translation studies both in the West and in China from a comparative perspective, as well as to sharpen their skills in reflecting on translation and its practical applications. Therefore, the course aims to develop the knowledge of the principles of translation theorizing in its various articulations and fields of application.

By attending and taking part in the course activities, students will be able to achieve the following results:

1. Knowledge and understanding
1.1. Knowing the basic theoretical principles of the reflection on translation
1.2 Knowing the theoretical and methodological principles of selected representative schools and approaches in Western and Chinese translation studies
1.3 Knowing the specific terminology of the various schools of translation studies
1.4 Becoming familiar with the contemporary debate on translation-related issues

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
2.1 Being able to correctly apply the theoretical principles of translation studies to a translation project according to its specific features
2.2 Being able to correctly use the terminology of translation studies in all the processes of application and communication of the knowledge acquired

3. Making judgements
3.1 Being able to formulate and justify hypotheses in the reflection on translation, developing a critical approach to the assessment of alternative hypotheses
3.2 Being able to critically comment on the reflection on translation applied to a specific translation project

4. Communication skills
4.1 Being able to effectively present a reflection on translation according to the specific features of the project and its recipients

5. Learning skills
5.1 Being able to critically use the recommended reference works and the bibliography indicated therein

A good knowledge of the Chinese language and an advanced proficiency in the English language (vocabulary and syntactic structures) acquired in the language courses attended as part of a BA in Chinese studies.

In this course a number of prominent schools and theories in Western and Chinese translation studies will be discussed, in order to point out their theoretical and methodological principles from a comparative perspective as well as their domains of application. Particular attention will also be placed on the discussion of contemporary debates on topics that involve translation.

Required readings will be indicated in due time and uploaded to the Moodle platform. However, students are encouraged to use the following texts for their general reference:

CHAN Leo Tak-hung (2004). Twentieth Century Chinese Translation Theory: Modes, Issues and Debates. Amsterdam and Philadelphia: John Benjamins.

HATIM Basil (2012). Teaching and Researching Translation (2nd ed.). London and New York: Routledge.

OSIMO Bruno (2002). Storia della traduzione. Riflessioni sul linguaggio traduttivo dall’antichità ai contemporanei. Milan: Hoepli.

WEI Weixiao (2019). An Overview of Chinese Translation Studies at the Beginning of the 21st Century. London and New York: Routledge.

Upon completing each teaching unit, students will be required to write an individual report or log entry addressing one of the leading questions indicated by the instructor and connected to the topic of the unit (two bonuses are included). The timely and regular submission of these materials is required in order to be admitted to the final exam.

The final exam consists of an Italian- or English-language research paper focusing on a topic related to those addressed during the main course and agreed upon with the instructor, to be submitted around 15 days prior to the exam date. The paper will be supplemented by an oral presentation.

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.

oral

The course is taught by lectures.

Italian

Due to the nature and focus of the course, English and Chinese will be used as working languages in addition to Italian. The course can be taught in English instead of Italian upon prior request by international students.

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