Technology Tools for Translation 2
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC4047 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 4 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- MLAC4047
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module will enable students to acquire key skills and knowledge to work as freelance translators. This module focuses on the use of free translation tools designed for and developed by freelancers, including two computer assisted translation (CAT) tools- OmegaT and Across, and a project management. Professional awareness is to be developed to help students understand the nature, requirements and resources of freelance translation.
Target Students
This is an optional module for the MA in Chinese/English Translation and interpreting.There is a limited number of places on this module. Students are reminded that enrolments which are not agreed by the Offering School in advance may be cancelled without notice.
Classes
- One 2-hour workshop each week for 10 weeks
The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.
Assessment
- 35% Coursework 1: 2000-word coursework based translation
- 65% Project 1: ONLINE AND AT HOME, PROVIDED THAT SOFTWARE ACCESS IS GUARANTEED. Project (Simulated Translation Agency) and Presentation - Students will have to form a team of 4 or 5 to complete a website localization project.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
Upon the completion of this module, students will have a good command of three different open-source technology tools- Omega T, Across and ]project-open[ to work as freelance translators. Students will be able to understand statistics in CAT requested by clients for pricing purposes. Students will produce translation and website localization projects and will create project timesheets to track working progress. Students will also acquire essential information sources of translation jobs and freelancer experiences, such as ProZ forum and the Across freelancer programmes. The final objective is to cultivate the habit of target material review and recycling, as an essential requirement for freelancers, by giving students inter-related tasks.Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding of:
1. The significance and ubiquity of freelance translation and translators;
2. The key concepts related to the significance: free-lance translation/localization, outsourcing language service, pricing quotation, source materials, target materials delivery, project reviewing and translation memory (TM) recycling;
3 The key rules and ethical issues, such as in-time delivery and many others;
4. The business cycle of freelance translation;
5. Working knowledge in the following areas public services, government administration, arts and culture, business, engineering, finance, health care, human science, journalism, law, media, social science and medicine.
B. Intellectual skills:
1. Analyse source materials of a translation/localization assignment given by a client;
2. Accessing translation/localization consistency;
3. Analysing/ accessing CAT statistics and project timesheets to complete a translation business;
4. Accessing the value of recyclable target materials.
C. Professional practical skills:
1. The use of OmegaT and Across to exercise glossary creation, written translation in different formats and website localization;
2. Practicing ]Project-open[ to create timesheet and to track working progress;
3. The creation of pricing quotation using automatically-generated statistics;
4. Translation Memory (TM) management and recycling;
6. Making full use of freelance translator forums;
7. Liaison with clients;
8. Management of source/target materials for further use.
D. Transferable (key) skills:
1. Information technology literacy;
2. Problem-solving and reporting;
3. Scheduling and Planning;
4. Remote communication;
5. Professionalism;
6. Self-assessment and self-development;
7. Ability to work under tight budget and deadlines;