Theoretical Studies in Translation and Interpreting (TRIN7110)

The purpose of this assignment is to give you experience in reading research articles and identifying the motivations behind research questions and how they are examined.

You should select 3 research articles in your area of interest in translation OR interpreting studies from the library collection. Please choose the articles very carefully from reputable peer-reviewed journals, as the credibility of your selected sources will be assessed. Check the Language and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA) and Modern Language Association (MLA) databases for articles to find research articles.

For each article, answer the following questions in a separate entry:

1. What research question(s) did the article attempt to answer?

Identify the research question(s) and, where relevant, any hypotheses tested. Please DO NOT COPY the questions directly from the paper, but paraphrase and summarise them in your own words.

2. What was the motivation for the study?

Describe the motivation for the research undertaken. If possible, specify if (and how) it was a replication and refinement of earlier research, an extension of prior research to fill an existing gap in the literature, or an attempt to break new ground. Be specific. Name and cite previous studies, where appropriate.

3. What methodology was used?

Identify the research methodology used to address the research question(s) by noting such questions as:

• Who were the participants?;
• What materials were used?;
• What tools/techniques/procedures were used?; and
• How was the data collected and analysed?

4. What were the findings?

Briefly state the results of the study. Were the research question(s) addressed? Were the hypotheses (if applicable) proved or disproved?

5. What were the implications of the study?

Evaluate the study’s value (contribution to the field) and shortcomings, and suggest improvements to mitigate these limitations.

Each entry should be no longer than 300 words. Your answers should be presented as a coherent and logical summary of the article rather than a list of answers to the five questions above. Bibliographic details for each article should be presented at the beginning of each entry in accordance with the APA referencing style. Any citations mentioned in the text should be followed by a reference list (which will not contribute to the overall word count), also formatted according to APA. After completing the 3 entries, write a short (up to 400 words) comparison of your findings for the 3 articles analysed. Comment on differences and similarities across the 3 articles and why you think these differences and similarities exist. These common features might include the kind of research questions asked, the motivations, and the aim of the study.

Some style notes:

• Type on A4-size paper (double spacing).
• Use 12-point Calibri font.
• Number your entries.
• The article should be cited at the beginning of each entry using the APA referencing style.
• Follow APA for formatting your document.
• Always aim to paraphrase and use your own words; your writing should demonstrate critical analysis and synthesis of information.
• Write the number of words at the end of your assignment. The total word length should not exceed 1300 words.

Statement on Generative AI & MT

This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

An English passage will be distributed in Week 3. Translate the passage into Chinese or Japanese. While translating, be conscious of your decision-making process in handling various translation-related issues, such as the context of the source text and its translation, culturally specific and/or linguistically challenging expressions, stylistic issues, etc. Write an analysis of your translation and translation process/strategies in English in such a manner that non-LOTE speakers can understand the discussion. The analysis should explain how you handled the relevant translation issues and developed effective solutions to the issues, with reference to the chosen translation theory/theories. Discuss your own ideas in relation to those of others. The discussion should lead to a final conclusion.

Submit the analysis together with the translation via Turnitin. The translation must be completed but is not itself assessed for quality.

Length of analysis (excluding translation): 1500 words (plus or minus 10% allowance; excluding any captions, diagrams, tables, appendices). Include the number of words at the end of your essay.

Check the Language and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA) and Modern Language Association (MLA) databases for articles that might be useful when writing your assignment.

Standard Assignment Format

The analysis must:

• be typed on A4-size paper (1.5 line spacing);
• use 12-point Calibri font;
• include any tables or diagrams in the appropriate part of the text, not at the end;
• demonstrate familiarity with relevant literature and an ability to evaluate the material critically;
• use the APA referencing style;
• acknowledge when other people’s ideas are used; and contain an appendix, if necessary, that lists further details of supporting data. (Appendices should only be used when these details would detract from the readability of the main text.)

Statement on Generative AI & MT

This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Please write a case-study report on dialogue interpreting, sight translation or consecutive interpreting. You can analyse your own or a professional interpreter’s interpreting performance in terms of accuracy, target language proficiency, and delivery features. In addition, you can discuss how a range of factors (e.g., familiarity with topics and speakers, note-taking skills, memory capacity, face-to-face communication, remote interpreting) influence interpreting process and interpreting performance. 

Length: 2000 words

Check the Language and Language Behavior Abstracts (LLBA) and Modern Language Association (MLA) databases for articles that might be useful when writing your assignment.

Standard Assignment Format

The analysis must:

• be typed on A4-size paper (1.5 line spacing);
• use 12-point Calibri font;
• include any tables or diagrams in the appropriate part of the text, not at the end;
• demonstrate familiarity with relevant literature and an ability to evaluate the material critically;
• use the APA referencing style;
• acknowledge when other people’s ideas are used; and contain an appendix, if necessary, that lists further details of supporting data. (Appendices should only be used when these details would detract from the readability of the main text.)

Statement on Generative AI & MT

This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.