TRAM504 Writing and Rewriting for Translators
Key information
- Start date:
- 23 September 2024
- Attendance dates:
- 23 September 2024 to 24 January 2025
- Venue:
- Stag Hill campus, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
- Contact details:
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
Overview
This module focuses on the intricate relationship between writing and translation through the practicalities of text production within a broad writing context (i.e. from fiction prose to technical text production), with a view to making translators aware of the basic elements required to create an effective text. It will combine weekly theoretical lectures with workshops to read and discuss students' work as well as rewriting and revising techniques.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- write in a variety of forms/genres for different audiences, mediums, and languages using appropriate digital resources and covering a variety of topics, including, inter alia, the environment and how non-sustainable human activity affects it
- Develop self-efficacy and resilience by reflecting in a productive and critically-informed fashion on their own writing, thus questioning own assumptions
- Provide feedback to peers in a confident, productive and critically-informed fashion, thus questioning own assumptions and comparing different types of writing output
- Contribute to workshop sessions in a sensitive, lucid, thoughtful and supportive manner
- Gain awareness of the relationship between writing and translation by conducting independent research and by assessing (digitally enhanced and) theory-informed approaches to writing tasks
Course content
- Composition: words, sentences, paragraphs (cohesion, coherence, narrativity)
- Textual structures or modes of discourse: Narration; Exposition, Argumentation and Persuasion
- Using tools, including Large Language Models such as ChatGPT to address issues of creativity
- Planning and organizing content
- Rewriting for different audiences
- Dialogic texts: elements of orality and performativity
- Style, lexical richness, figurative language, register and linguistic varieties
- Self-revising and revising the work of others
Learning and teaching methods
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
- develop students’ writing skills in creative and technical writing (prose fiction, poetry, opinion pieces, instruction material and scientific/environmental discourse) by understanding the fundamental elements effective text composition for different audiences
- engage students who have different backgrounds and maximize their learning by drawing on their own writing experience and by confidently contributing to discussions in a class group
equip students with the ability to understand elements of effective texts, to reflect on them and to gain confidence in in creating clear, well-formed texts with a view to enhancing their translation work - equip students with the ability to conduct independent research and assess (digitally enhanced) writing approaches in their planning and execution of a writing task, which will extend beyond the strict remit of module tasks and will be useful in their future writing or translation work
Learning and teaching includes:
- Seminars with opportunities for group and whole class discussions
- Workshops, where students will read, analyse, write and revise proposed material
- Captured content addressing module content
- Guided learning – such as signposted hands-on exercises and guidelines relevant to advanced practice in the field
- Problem-based practical exercises
- Discussion and group work (in-class)
- Practice-based learning – application of knowledge acquired throughout the module in realistic or academically simulated contexts
Assessment
Portfolio of Item(s) Consisting of 1-2 Creative Piece(s) (1000 words) (40%)
These are pieces that students started authoring during one of their weekly sessions and which they later revised, taking in-class feedback on board, enabling students to experiment with different topics, test and take ownership of their writing approaches and develop professional presentation skills of their final written contributions
Additional Creative Piece, which Is Complemented by a Reflective Commentary (1500 words) (60%)
This enables students to develop subject-specific knowledge, apply research skills and further develop their decision-making in developing an additional topic with a view to unlocking their creativity
Course leader
![Dimitris Asimakoulas profile image](/sites/default/files/styles/image_150x150_scale_and_crop/public/2022-02/dimitris-asimakoulas.jpg?itok=2Hbon1M_)
Dr Dimitris Asimakoulas
Deputy Director (Centre for Translation Studies) Programme Leader (MRes in Translation and Interpreting Studies; MA Translation; MA Translation and Interpreting; MA Interpreting)
Reading list
Entry requirements
- You need to be fluent in English as you will be required to process texts and discuss practice and/or concepts in detail (IELTS level of 6.5 overall, or equivalent)
- You should have a first degree
Fees and funding
Price per person:
£800
A 25% discount is available for CTS graduates or for applicants who have previously done a CTS CPD course.
How to apply
Apply online below where you will be asked to upload your CV, academic and language qualifications and respond to a few brief questions about yourself.
Terms and conditions
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Further details of our terms and conditions will follow.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the commencement of the course. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read the full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Email: cts@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH