Literature, Interpretation and Translation

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Master

Full-time/Part-time

-

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The course focuses on a close reading of fiction and other texts and their translations.

In considering the text a challenge in both interpretation and translation, the focus lies on translation as understanding and understanding as translation: What role does translation play in the understanding and interpretation of literature and other texts?

Based on central theories of interpretation and translation, one can look at the text aspect on different levels: What happens to literary metaphors and sociolects in translation? How should the translator deal with dialect use? What happens with syntactically complicated and long sentences?

TYS308 is a required part of the Master's degree in German.

Learning Outcomes

Knowlege:

The student

• has good knowledge of basic theoretical problems in interpretation theory and translation
• has good knowledge of central terminology and concepts in interpretation theory and translation

Skills:

The student

• can describe and analyze different interpretation and translation challenges (for example, those related to morphology, syntax, phraseology, dialect, and sociolect)
• can describe and analyze interpretation and translation challenges related to the translation of texts from different genres
• can compare the original text to the translation(s) with respect to interpretation and translation strategies

Competence:

The student

• can discuss central problems within the selected subject area, both orally and in writing
• is able to independently update and expand their knowledge within the selected subject area
• is prepared with the writing techniques needed to write a Master's thesis

Required Previous Knowledge

-

Recommended Previous Knowledge

-

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

TYS314 (5 credits), TYS315 (5 credits), TYS308L (10 credits)

Access to the Course

The course is open to all with admission to the Master's programme in German at the University of Bergen.

Teaching and learning methods

The classes are a combination of lecture and seminar, in which students are expected to participate actively.

- two double classes a week

- over 9 weeks. (9 two-hours classes in literature and 9 two-hour classes in translation)

If few students register for the course, instruction can be tailored to the number of students. If this is the case, students will be informed of alternate instruction arrangements at the beginning of the semester prior to the registration deadline of Feb 1/Sept 1.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

During the semester, there will be four short written (500-750 words) assignments (two in literature and two in translation) and two oral presentations (one in literature and one in translation).

All assignments must be approved by the instructor in order to be eligible to take the course exam.

Coursework is valid for one semester following the semester of instruction.

Forms of Assessment

Course assessment is based on a one-week home exam (about 4000 words, not including the content overview, task description, and bibliography) and an oral exam.

For the home exam, one chooses either a literary or a linguistic/translation topic. The oral exam is a presentation of a self-selected topic related to the required course reading from the discipline that one has not chosen for one's home exam, and questions will also be asked about the home exam and the course reading. The home exam is worth 50% of the final grade and the oral exam is worth 50%.

Examination Support Material

Grading Scale

The grading scale A-F is used, where F is a failing grade.

Assessment Semester

Spring. An exam will be offered early in the Autumn semester for students who passed the obligatory requirements.

Reading List

The curriculum consists of up to 200 pages per discipline.

Course Evaluation

The teaching will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Programme Committee

The Programme Board is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study programme, and for the quality of all the subjects therein.

Course Coordinator

The Programme Board

Course Administrator

Department of Foreign Languages