School of Translation & Interpretation
Escuela de Traducción e Interpretación
SYLLABUS
COURSE: UTRA 300 TRADUCCIÓN A LA VISTA Spanish into English – English into Spanish
CREDITS: 3
PRE-REQUISITES: none
CONTACT HOURS: 48
NON CLASSROOM HOURS: 96
1.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Sight translation is the process of reading out loud in a target language a text that is written in a (different)
source language. It is translation because written materials are used yet it is also interpretation because the
delivery is oral. Translation is the written transfer of a message from one language (source) into another
(target), while interpretation is the oral transfer of a message spoken (source) in one language and
rendered into another language (target). Sight translation combines all the skills and is, therefore,
considered a “bridge” between translation and interpretation.
Sight translation is an extremely useful tool for professional translators and interpreters. It is also a key
training tool because it develops the mental skills needed to deliver the message accurately and smoothly.
This course is a general introduction to the art of sight translation. The course covers the basic theory and
techniques necessary to perform sight translation of texts, accurately and smoothly, into Spanish and into
English. The focus of the course is practical. Students learn to skim texts, identifying subject-verb-object,
and sight-translate different kinds of texts in class. In-class exercises are followed by a critique of their
fellow student’s performance on the basis of meaning, syntax, grammar, pronunciation, and delivery.
2.
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Professor will bring to class different kinds of texts. Students will also be asked to identify and bring to
class different types of materials which, if approved by the professor, they will use for their practice
sessions outside of class. Students are expected to set up at least one 2-hour practice session a week with
their peers and must submit a tape with their best performances for teacher review.
During the first two and a half weeks work will be monolingual, alternating Spanish-Spanish and EnglishEnglish. Students learn and practice reading out loud techniques, including breathing, pauses, voice
modulation, pronunciation, enunciation, and professional poise. Analysis of texts includes,
“speed/oblique” reading and identification of subject-verb-object to understand message content and
meaning units. Vocabulary-building techniques are also explored at this stage. Students learn to identify
vocabulary and meaning from context, special syntax and grammar structures, and idioms. Students
research idioms, buzz words, set phrases and clichés in both languages.
Through paraphrasing techniques, students develop the ability to manipulate and restructure text,
rendering the message in at least three different versions. This enables students to use different
(appropriate) synonyms, registers, summarizing, expanding the text content without changing the
meaning of the original.
At this point students are ready to take their first sight-translation basic skills test.
This course enables students to explore their personal abilities for either translation or interpretation;
students with a profile for a translation career are likely to take their time and be more cautious before
utterance. However, the flow of speech and pacing should be smooth and easy to follow. Interpreters tend
to be resourceful and express the message faster.
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS INTERNACIONALES
U.
E.
E. S.
School of Translation & Interpretation
Escuela de Traducción e Interpretación
Beginning the fourth week, students will perform proper sight translation into English and into Spanish.
Text preparation: Presented with a text, students read it, discuss it and analyze it, identifying meaning
units. De-verbalization: students “process and reformulate” source message and deliver an oral
translation. Initially, students will be asked to render two or three different versions in the target language.
As the term progresses we will deemphasize pre-translation text preparation and place more emphasis on
delivery and post-translation analysis.
3.
CLASS EVALUATION
Homework assignments
Homework will consist primarily of tape recorded sight translations, the primary emphasis being on
delivery. Therefore, pronunciation, grammar, syntax, and delivery will be emphasized over details of
meaning and accuracy in the homework assignments.
Mid-term and Final Exams
There will be two in-class sight translations which will serve as midterm and final exams. The text used in
the exams will be something not previously reviewed in class, but will be of a similar content, length and
difficulty level to material reviewed and analyzed in class. The student will be given a short time to read
the text and will then deliver the translation orally into English and into Spanish. Because ongoing
individual practice outside of the classroom is so important, homework will be worth 25% and personal
improvement/class participation will be worth 25% of the final grade.
The final class grade will be determined as follows:
Homework = 25% of final grade
Midterm = 25% of final grade
Final exam = 25% of final grade
Participation in class/personal improvement = 25% of final grade
4. SCHEDULED TOPICS (timetable is approximate)
Week 1 – Reading for meaning, Non Governmental Organizations
Week 2 – Reading for meaning, NGO & Advertisements
Week 3 – Matching the tone, Tourism & Personal Correspondence
Week 4 – What’s the message, News & Current Affairs
Week 5 – Let’s get serious, Economics & Business correspondence
Week 6 – Presentation is everything, Legal & Court Documents
Week 7 – Honing your skills, Politics & Globalization
5. REQUIRED READINGS
Webliography and articles on reserve in the Copy Center/Library (read the following required readings,
which you will be tested on, and pay close attention to the dates they are to be read by and the order in
which you should preferably read them):
By July 21, 2005:
“Translation and Interpretation: An Intercultural Communication Profession” (Reynoso, 21 pag.)
“El espanglish en internet y en la computación/informática” (Castro, 3 pag.)
“El acoso del español… por los anglicismos” (Segura, 3 pag.)
“Las perlas de cultivo de los traductores” (Bergel, 4 pag.)
“The World of Translators and Interpreters” (Bennaton, 4 pag.)
“La empresa siglo XXI” (sin autor, 4 pag.)
“Carreras internacionales del siglo XXI” (Reynoso, 39 pag.)
“Estrategias para traducción” (Brinton, White, Cruz, Ortiz,
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS INTERNACIONALES
U.
E.
E. S.
School of Translation & Interpretation
Escuela de Traducción e Interpretación
By August 7, 2005:
La traducción del inglés al castellano – Guía para el traductor (Orellana, 362 pag)
INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS INTERNACIONALES
U.
E.
E. S.