OF-407 Specialised translation: technical and medical texts

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Translation and Professional Communication, Master's programme

Teaching language

Norwegian, English, other languages used for translation. Students must work in the language-pair for which they have been admitted to the programme.

Course contents

In the course, the students will participate in a translation office simulation. They will gain knowledge and skills vital to producing professional translations of texts of a technical and medical nature. The course focuses on research-based knowledge of writing and translation within these fields, and the students are expected to practically apply this to their editing- and translation tasks. Different language resources (like corpora, term banks, standards) and digital solutions for translation, post-editing and working with terminology will be critically assessed and used for practical tasks. An important goal is for the students to gain the skills to find appropriate language resources for use while writing and translating. Further, they can consider what terminology and different linguistic alternatives are best suited for a given communication situation and are able to manage simple projects and communicate with clients professionally. This enables the students to continue developing their own skill sets as translators after they have completed their degree.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

After completing the course, the student will have in-depth knowledge about

• the main characteristics of technical and medical texts used in professional communication.

• the main similarities and differences between the two languages the student works with, pertaining to technical and medical texts.

• the main language resources and digital tools that are used by professional translators and writers of technical and medical texts.

• the main issues and methods used to research professional communication.

• basic administration and project management issues in professional translation.

 

Skills

• After completing the course, the student will be able to

• critically assess and edit technical and medical texts written and translated by others (incl. machine translated texts).

• critically assess, select and use different language resources and digital tools while writing or translating technical and medical texts.

• translate a variety of challenging technical and medical texts between the languages in the language pair the student works with.

• manage simple translation projects and communicate professionally with clients.

Examination requirements

Students must hand in and pass seven written assignments and deliver one oral presentation, all of which are done in groups. Further instructions will be specified in Canvas.

Attendance at a compulsory seminar on campus. More information will be given at the start of the semester.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of group workshops, seminars, and tutor-guided sessions. In the group work sessions, the students will work on their assigned translations and apply what they have learnt and discussed in the seminars, tutoring sessions, literature, and further materials. In addition, students will complete and hand in multiple translation and editing group assignments.

Estimated workload: 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No.

Offered as Single Standing Module

Yes, if there are places available.

Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module

Same admission requirements apply as for the master's programme in Translation and Professional Communication.

Assessment methods and criteria

Course portfolio containing a selection of the student’s work handed in during the course. The portfolio will consist of three of the translated texts in a revised version and a critical reflective essay, all weighted equally. Detailed information about the portfolio will be given in Canvas. All parts must be assessed as a pass. Grade A to F.