Translation, Power and Gender in the Spanish-Speaking World
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC3191 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 3 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- MLAC3191
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
The module exposes students to an array of contemporary literary texts written in Spanish, and presents these texts – and their translations – against a backdrop of key research questions that explore literary translation, power and gender. The module focuses on both literary translation as a process (principles of literary translation, interventionist strategies, translators and activism), and as a product (paratexts, critical reception). Students develop their knowledge of theory and practice throughout a series of lectures and practical translation workshops, where they will have the opportunity to apply, explore and critique the theoretical frameworks in their own translations of contemporary Hispanic literary texts.
Target Students
Available for Final Year students taking MLAC3076.
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
- One 1-hour workshop each week for 21 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 21 weeks
The workshops will be a combination of practical literary translation workshops, and more traditional seminars where students will discuss the critical and literary texts that the module will cover throughout the course of the year.
Assessment
- 30% Project: Students will be required to write a review (max 1000 words) of an existing translation, focusing not only on linguistic issues, but also on any paratexts created by the translator or other agents.
- 70% Coursework: Literary translation project: 1000-word translation + 1000-word accompanying translation diary, based on a choice of two literary texts.
Assessed in both autumn & spring semest
Educational Aims
The main aims of the module will be to impart knowledge and understanding of critical questions concerning gender and power through the lens of translation, whilst developing practical translation skills from Spanish into English and furthering students’ familiarity with contemporary literary texts written in Spanish. In particular, the module will interrogate: 1) Translation as ‘a cultural practice, […] deeply implicated in relations of domination and dependence, equally capable of maintaining or disrupting them’ (Venuti, 1998); 2) The question of who gets to be read in translation, and how institutions shape the landscape of available voices; 3) Principles of literary translation, with a particular focus on developing a conscious translation practice; 4) How translations and their paratexts have the power to construct images and shape cultural identities.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and Understanding
A2 The techniques required for successful working at the interface of the chosen languages and English
A3 Selected aspects of linguistics and the literature, culture, history and/or society in which the chosen languages are spoken
A4 Principles of literary and textual analysis
A6 Linguistic, textual and cultural issues relating to translation, and techniques for resolving difficulties
2. Teaching and Learning and Assessment
B1 Undertake close textual analysis of a variety of types of literary and other texts
B2 Make critical use of primary and secondary source material, both written and audio-visual
B4 Engage in independent study and research
B5 Engage in critical and analytic reflection on the basis of ideas acquired through B1-4
B6 Express ideas clearly and effectively in the context of a well constructed argument.
B7 Engage in exchanges of ideas with others, giving due weight to their opinions.
3. Professional/Practical Skills
C5 Translate effectively from the target languages into English and from English into the target languages.
C6 Understand, process and express complex ideas in both English and the target languages
C7 Work independently with written and spoken source materials in both English and the target languages and evaluate and process the results of research
C8 Present work in conformity with academic conventions
4. Transferable/Key Skills
D1 Effective communication of information and ideas in appropriate registers of both oral and written English
D2 Gathering, processing and critically evaluating material from a variety of sources, written, oral or audio-visual
D3 Definition of problems and construction of strategies for their solution
D4 Working productively independently
D6 Working productively under pressure
D9 Ability to integrate feedback, reflecting on prior performance to improve assessed work