DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
MA in Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference
German optional core module (Term 2, 2015-16)
GE904-30
DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
MA in Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference
German optional core module (Term 2)
The aims of the module
This module addresses a series of issues relating to translation as that which
mediates between different cultures, with specific reference to translation between
German and English / German-language and English-language cultural environments.
The aim is to sensitise students to aspects of cultural as well as linguistic difference
and the impact of cultural and historical context on what literary and related texts
get translated and why and how. Seminars will focus on structural issues to do with
language and language transfer:
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problems of differing syntactical and vocabulary structures
conveying idiosyncratic authorial styles in literary translation
the formal challenges of translating poetry
strategies for communicating the different cultural and social histories
carried by language
But we also investigate the parameters for translation which are set by patterns of
reception between cultures:
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images of the other culture and how these influence literary markets
the impact of markets on what texts are selected for translation
how a text is translated and how it is received
how different historical contexts generate different translations
The module is explicitly aimed at both English native speakers with advanced
competence in German and German native-speakers with advanced competence in
English, and will therefore consider both English-German and German-English
translation.
Module tutors
The module is taught by a range of different tutors within the Department of
German Studies, selected according to their specific expertise in the area covered by
the seminar.
Module assessment
Assessment is by a portfolio of 3 study tasks, totalling max. 6000 words, selected from a
list including:
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practical translation work plus commentary on methodology
critical commentary on published translations
case-study research into the selection, marketing and reception of specific
translations
comparative analysis of translations produced under differing cultural/
historical/ theoretical circumstances
Module bibliography (selected titles)
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D. Bellos, Is That a Fish in Your Ear? The Amazing Adventure of Translation (Penguin,
2012)
U. Eco, Mouse or Rat? Translation as Negotiation (London 2003)
S. Hervey and I. Higgins, Thinking Translation: A Course in Translation Method
(Routledge, 1992)
Katharina Reiß, Hans J. Vermeer, Grundlagen einer allgemeinen Translationstheorie
(2nd edition, Tübingen, 1991
L. Venuti and M. Baker (eds.), The Translation Studies Reader (Routledge, 2000),
especially chapters 4, (Schleiermacher),14 (Reiss) and 19 (Vermeer).
MA in Translation, Writing and Cultural Difference.
German Module (R2P4). Convener: Andrea Klaus MA
Syllabus and Teaching Plan: Term 2 2015/16.
Author/ Text
Module Topic
Specific Foci
Assessed
work
potential
Tutor to deliver
Various texts (distributed in seminar)
Introduction to
translation/
cultural difference
(German/ English)
Module Map
Outlining and exemplifying forms
of cultural-linguistic specificity
Translation examples
Cultural
knowledge and
transfer
Exploring different models of
translation theory (Luther,
Schleiermacher, Reiss and
Vermeer et al.)
Translation
and
commentary
Andrea Klaus MA
Theory into Practice I: Shakespearean sonnet
‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’
(various versions, English and German)
Translation
theories and
practice
Applying differing models of
translation theory to literary
texts (poetry).
Translation
and
commentary,
comparative
analysis
Andrea Klaus MA
Theory into Practice II: D.H Lawrence’s short stories
into German
Translation
theories and
practice
Applying differing models of
translation theory to literary
texts (prose).
Translation
and
commentary,
comparative
analysis
Andrea Klaus MA
1
Andrea Klaus MA
--
2
Theoretical approaches to translation
3
4
5
Fontane’s Effi Briest
6
7
The Translation Market for
literature study
Translation
and
comparative
analysis of
text and
context
Dr Susan Beardmore
Translators’ decisions and
rationale, the visible/ invisible
translator
Translation
and
comparative
analysis
Dr Susan Beardmore
Reading Week
Kafka’s Short Stories
8
Emine Sevgi Özdamar
Das Leben ist eine Karawanserei,
Translating
literary texts 3
Translating nonstandard usage.
Rendering the dialect of specific
social and ethnic groupings
Translation
and
commentary
Dr Jim Jordan
Commercial translations
Specific
challenges and
practices when
translating in a
commercial
context
Exploring how techniques of
translating fit into specific
commercial practices, taking into
account market needs physical
space and other practical
considerations
Translation
and analysis/
case study
Dr Ian Roberts
Portfolio
Andrea Klaus MA
9
10
Portfolio Workshop
Commentary and
analysis: writing
Portfolio preparation