Logo

Translation Methodology (French-Catalan)

Code: 108371
Credits: 3
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Translation and Interpreting OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Juan-Francisco Silvente Muñoz
Email :
juanfrancisco.silvente@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Objectives

The overall aim of this module is for students to familiarise themselves with the basic methodology of translation and to acquire metalinguistic concepts and terminology related to translation, as well as specific methodologies that they can apply in the practice and study of this discipline.

Translation is presented as a process of comprehension and re-expression.

In the comprehension phase:

  • The main ideas of the text are identified beyond the specific words, so as to avoid literal translation;
  • The context of the words is examined to grasp their meaning within the text, clarify unfamiliar expressions and provide context.

In the expression phase:

  • Strategies are used to achieve naturalness and spontaneity in the target language, always bearing in mind the intended audience of the translation;
  • Emphasis is placed on the importance of the target language and the need to master it in order to translate and write to a high standard. At this point, the need to avoid linguistic interference is highlighted.

The importance of the communicative purpose of translation is emphasised.

Basic aspects of the profession are also covered (rights and obligations, professional associations and bodies, codes of conduct, etc.), as well as ethical issues (inclusive language, etc.).

Learning outcomes

  • CM12 (Translate different types of non-specialised texts by applying linguistic, encyclopaedic, cultural and instrumental knowledge and justifying the criteria and decisions adopted.) Translate different types of non-specialised texts by applying linguistic, encyclopaedic, cultural and instrumental knowledge and justifying the criteria and decisions adopted.
  • KM19 (Identify the methodological concepts and principles that govern translation.) Identify the methodological concepts and principles that govern translation.
  • KM20 (Identify elements and characteristics of a text that may pose translation problems.) Identify elements and characteristics of a text that may pose translation problems.
  • KM22 (Identify the ethical implications of the profession of translation.) Identify the ethical implications of the profession of translation.
  • KM23 (Recognise the main actors involved and the essential professional aspects of translation.) Recognise the main actors involved and the essential professional aspects of translation.
  • SM24 (Analyse translation problems present in different types of non-specialised texts using the appropriate metalanguage.) Analyse translation problems present in different types of non-specialised texts using the appropriate metalanguage.

Contents

  • Introduction to translation in the French–Catalan language pair: history and current developments.
  • The communicative purpose of translation.
  • The stages of the translation process: the comprehension phase and the expression phase. The human factor as an added value in translation.
  • The importance of the target language: writing well, summarising information.
  • The importance of research and the critical use of technology.
  • Metalinguistic concepts and terminology in translation: equivalence, unity, invariable, method, modality, technique, strategy, problem, error, etc.
  • Basic aspects of the profession (types of translators, areas of employment, rights and obligations, professional associations, codes of ethics, etc.), as well as ethical considerations (inclusive language, etc.).

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Performing translation activities 25 1 CM12, KM19
Reading the bibliography and expanding knowledge 33 1.32 KM22, KM23, SM24
Preparation, supervision and review of written exercises 12.5 0.5 KM20, KM23

Competences in the French language will be broadened and deepened, and the specific skills required for translation will be developed: on the one hand, general skills and communicative abilities in the foreign language; on the other, specialised linguistic skills in French as the working language for translation.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Literary translation test 40% 1.5 0.06 CM12, KM19, KM20, KM23
Translation test of a text in a formal style 30% 1.5 0.06 CM12, KM19, KM20, KM22, SM24
Translation test of a text in an informal style 30% 1.5 0.06 CM12, KM19, KM20, KM22, SM24

Assessment

Assessment is continuous. Students must provide evidence of their progress by completing various tasks and tests. Tasks and tests deadlines will be indicated in the course schedule on the first day of class. The information on assessment activities and their weighting is a guide. The subject's lecturer will provide full information when teaching begins.

Review

When publishing final marks prior to recording them on students' transcripts, the lecturer will provide written notification of a date and time for reviewing assessment activities. Students must arrange reviews in agreement with the lecturer.

Missed/failed assessment activities

Students may retake assessment activities they have failed or compensate for any they have missed, provided that those they have actually performed account for a minimum of 66.6% (two thirds) of the subject's final mark and that they have a weighted average mark of at least 3.5.

The lecturer will inform students of the procedure involved, in writing, when publishing final marks prior to recording them on transcripts. The lecturer may set one assignment per failed or missed assessment activity or a single assignment to cover a number of such activities. Under no circumstances may an assessment activity worth 100% of the final mark be retaken or compensated for.

Classification as "not assessable"

In the event of the assessment activities a student has performed accounting for just 25% or less of the subject's final grade, their work will be classified as "not assessable" on their transcript.

Misconduct in assessment activities

Students who engage in misconduct (plagiarism, copying, personation, etc.) in an assessment activity will receive a mark of “0” for the activity in question. In the case of misconduct in more than one assessment activity, the student involved will be given a final grade of “0” for the subject. Assessment activities in which irregularities have occurred (e.g. plagiarism, copying, impersonation) are excluded from retake.

Use of artificial intelligence

In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage of the assessment activities. Any work that includes AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will be graded a 0, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated.

Single assessment

This subject may be assessed under the single assessment system in accordance with the terms established in the academic regulations of the UAB and the assessment criteria of the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting.

Students must make an online request within the period established by the faculty and send a copy to the lecturer responsible for the subject, for the record.

Single assessment will be carried out in person on one day during week 16 or 17 of the semester. The Academic Management Office will publish the exact date and time on the faculty website.

On the day of the single assessment, teaching staff will ask the student for identification, which should be presented as a valid identification document with a recent photograph (student card, DNI/NIE or passport).

Single assessment activities

Single assessment will include the same three tests as the continuous assessment.

Grade revision and retake procedures for the subject are the same as those for continual assessment. See the section above in this Study Guide.

Bibliography

- ACADEMIC WORKS:

Problemes de traducció i competència traductora: bases per a una pedagogia de la traducció. Presas, Marisa - 2009

Traducció francès-català i anàlisi dels problemes de traducció de la revista infantil 'Mes premiers J'aime lire'. Vers Delgado, Aida - 2024

- DICTIONARIES:

-Monolingual French dictionary: Le petit Robert : dictionnaire alphabétique et analogique de la langue française. París: Le Robert - 2021

-Monolingual Catalan dictionaries:

Diccionari de la llengua catalana. Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Barcelona: Edicions 62: Enciclopèdia Catalana - 2009

Diccionari de sinònims de frases fetes. Espinal, M. Teresa, autor; Orga, Pere - 2018

Diccionari essencial: sinònims i antònims de la llengua catalana. Barcelona: Biblograf - 1998

Diccionari de dubtes i dificultats del català. Bruguera, Jordi; Torras i Rodergas, Josep; Fons Badia-Cardús (Biblioteca de Catalunya) - 2000

Diccionari de locucions i frases llatines. Peris i Juan, Antoni - 2001

Diccionari de termes literaris. Aritzeta, M. Barcelona, Edicions 62 - 1996

-Bilingual dictionaries:

Dictionnaire Français-Catalan. Camps, C.; Botet, R. Canet. Editions Trabucaire - 2007

Diccionari de Paranys de Traducció. Francès-Català (faux amis). Castellanos, Carles; Lenoir, Françoise. Barcelona, Enciclopèdia catalana - 2000.

Diccionari Francès-Català. Castellanos, Carles; Castellanos, Rafael. Barcelona, Enciclopèdia catalana - 2003

- MANUALS:

Manual d'estil. La redacció i l'edició de textos. Mestres, J.M. et alt.. Barcelona, EUMO - 2009

La pràctica de la traducció francès-català. Verdegal, Joan. Vic, Eumo Editorial - 2009

- WEBSITES:

Catalan dictionaries:

DIEC2: http://dlc.iec.cat/

Diccionari català-valencià-balear: https://dcvb.iec.cat/

Optimot: http://optimot.gencat.cat

Enciclopèdia catalana: http://www.enciclopedia.cat/

Diccionaris.cat: https://www.diccionari.cat/#

French Dictionaries:

TLF: http://atilf.atilf.fr

Portail lexical: https://www.portail-lexical.fr/

Littré: http://littre.reverso.net/dictionnaire-francais/

Académie française: https://www.academie-francaise.fr/

Larousse: https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/


Software

No specific software is used in this course.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed