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Instructors: Michael A.C. Claridge
Event type:
online: Practice class
Displayed in timetable as:
05.866.310
Hours per week:
2
Language of instruction:
Englisch
Min. | Max. participants:
- | 45
Requirements / organisational issues:
Please note: Participants are expected to have C1-level (or above) language skills in BOTH German AND English. You will be graded on that basis in the tests and final exam.
The goal of this course is to consolidate your awareness of the differences and similarities between German and English – especially those caused by interference – by testing and sifting possible translations of parts of a literary text.
The full group will meet for 90 minutes in our regular slot each week, either physically or – if health regulations render this impossible – in an online chat room. I will inform you after the 2nd registration phase where and how we will meet.
After an introductory first week, we will shift into a cycle in which you will work on part of a translation text together with a mini-group of other participants, putting forward possible translations of and alternatives for each sentence and exploring the pros and cons of the various suggestions, using only monolingual dictionaries. You will pass your ultimate proposal(s) on to another mini-group (and vice versa), who will refine your initial ideas, where appropriate now with bilingual dictionaries. There will also be some work on interference-related aspects of syntax and lexis. Much of the mini-group work will be done online, with a summary sent to me; I will combine the results, and we will compare opinions, options and alternatives in the class session, where the full group will attempt to find a generally acceptable version. All this will involve discussion of and explanation for and against the various suggestions, reinforcing your understanding of the English language, its vocabulary and grammar, and appropriate register.
There will be two short tests during the semester, where you will need to score an average grade of 60% to be allowed to take the final exam (in the last class-hour). If you are taking that final exam as the module exam, you will have 90* minutes’ time; otherwise, you will have 30* minutes (and correspondingly translate only 1/3 of the text). You will be allowed to use an English monolingual dictionary (print form, NOT electronic!) in the tests and the exam (see below for suggestions). Exchange students whose native language is not German will also be allowed to use a German monolingual dictionary (again, print form, NOT electronic!). Bilingual dictionaries are NOT permitted.
* Note: These times will be extended if these tests and the exam have to take place online as ‘take-home’ exams.
You are expected to have and be familiar with a good, comprehensive German-English dictionary (e.g. the Großwörterbuch published by Collins/Langenscheidt (Schulwörterbücher are not adequate at this level of language!) and the latest edition of either the Longman-Langenscheidt Dictionary of Contemporary English or the Oxford UP Advanced Learner's Dictionary – you will be permitted to use the print version of a monolingual (English) dictionary in the two tests and the final exam, so it is well worth obtaining and familiarizing yourself with one during the semester, if you have not already done so!
More details will be provided in the first class session.
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