GERMAN 3394a (formerly 394AF)
ADVANCED TRANSLATION: ENGLISH TO GERMAN
Fall 2008

Instructor: Anne Lausch
Office: UC 156
E-Mail: alausch@uwo.ca

COURSE CONTENT:
This course takes a practical approach to translation. The texts to be translated represent a variety of contemporary styles, sources, disciplines, and types of document, from newspaper reports to short stories. The emphasis will be on practice and group analysis of linguistic problems, so that the students develop an understanding of -- and fluency with -- the recurring patterns which they must eventually be able to manipulate when translating into German.

COURSE AIMS
- To build on the students' knowledge of German and and apply that knowledge to the process of translation.
- To focus on the inherent differences between English and German and practice recurring patterns of syntax that are often poorly translated.
- To consider the social and cultural aspects of transferring the thoughts and ideas of one language to another.
- To look at different approaches to translation, such as the extremes of literal translation and free rendering and demonstrate that accurate translation requires creativity.
- To provide plenty of examples, practice and group discussion.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students will be expected to do the following:

- Provide clear and largely accurate translations of fairly difficult English passages into German, with the help of a dictionary and within a set time limit.
- Competently use a dictionary and select words and expressions that fit the context.
- Apply correct grammar and syntax to produce fluent and meaningful translations.
- Understand differences in translating various types of text and make appropriate choices based on the style, source, topic area etc.. Decide which elements of style, imagery, grammar and syntax need to be maintained in the translation and which may be lost in the process.
- Take social and cultural factors into consideration in producing a translation.
- Critically assess different translations and choose one that seems best in the context provided.

FORMAT
The class meets 3 hours per week. Attendance is mandatory. Students are evaluated on preparation and participation.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND MARK BREAKDOWN

Five translation assignments 25%
Attendance 10%
Class preparation and participation 10%
Test I 10%
Test II 15%
Final examination 30%

Tests will be written during regular class time. Translation assignments must be handed in for marking by the due date. They will be assigned one week in advance, and students must complete them independently.

TEXT
A good English-German, German-English dictionary. The choice of dictionary will be discussed at the beginning of the course.

There is no other text for this course. Course materials will be passed out as necessary.

Prerequisite: The equivalent of a full German language course at the 2200 level or permissioin of the Department.
Antirequisite: none

Please Note: You are responsible for ensuring that you have successfully completed all course prerequisites (or have special permission from your Dean to waive the prerequisite) and that you have not taken an antirequisite course. If you are not eligible for the course, you may be removed from it at any time, and it will be deleted from your record. In addition, you will receive no adjustment to your fees. These decisions cannot be appealed.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a major academic offense (see Scholastic Offense Policy in the Western Academic Calendar). Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's verbatim or paraphrased text in one's own written work without immediate reference. Verbatim text must be surrounded by quotation marks or indented if it is longer than four lines. A reference must follow right after borrowed material (usually the author's name and page number). Without immediate reference to borrowed material, a list of sources at the end of a written assignment does not protect a writer against the possible charge of plagiarism. The University of Western Ontario uses a plagiarism-checking site called Turnitin.com.

Absenteeism
Students seeking academic accommodation on medical grounds for any missed tests, exams, participation components and/or assignments must apply to the Academic Counselling office of their home Faculty and provide documentation. Academic accommodation cannot be granted by the instructor or department.

UWO's Policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness (https://studentservices.uwo.ca/secure/index.cfm)

Downloadable Student Medical Certificate (SMC): https://studentservices.uwo.ca under the Medical Documentation heading