Language and linguistics today: Introduction to localization 2510-f1ENG3W-LLT-ITL

https://moodle.umk.pl/WHUM/course/view.php?id=1719

The course covers:
- translation and localization of polysemiotic texts;
- synchrony between various semiotic channels as a translation / localization challenge; examples of synchrony violations;
- localization vs translation; the impact of globalization and the internationalization stage; the notion of locale;
- localization of digital texts: features and functions requiring localization;
- types and models of localization; players in the translational action;
- the lockit and translatable assets;
- localization-related software; basic use of CAT tools; terminology management;
- string-length, inflection and variables as constraints in English-Polish text localization.

The order and extent of the above topics is subject to change to accommodate students' interests and level of computer literacy. Computer availability permitting, students will complete sample localization tasks.

Total student workload

5 ECTS = 125 hour workload 30 hours = participation in the course 30 hours = localization homework: individual and group tasks covering: - linguistic localization - reporting bugs - analysing and documenting digital products in terms of potential localization issues 40 hours = group localization project: preparing and reading instructions, establishing and improving the workflow, completing localization tasks, reporting bugs, writing a post-mortem report on the strong and weak points of the teamwork) 20 hours = reading localization articles, preparing a glossary for the online test 5 hours = preparing for the terminology test

Learning outcomes - knowledge

n/a

Learning outcomes - skills

The student: U1: uses available materials involving localization (such as localization instructions, asset listings, sample assets, screenshots, bug reports) to identify (potential or actual) technical, linguistic and cultural problems in localization (K_U01) U2: in the localization kit or localization instructions in English, find information relevant for the purposes of localization into Polish or of localization analysis, identifying sources of localization problems (K_U02) U3: effectively communicates with other members of the (simulated) localization team, both online and in-person, to establish a localization policy and workflow; as a team member, follows localization instructions and seeks to clarify them if necessary, and as a team leader, proposes solutions and delegates new tasks to team members, giving them the means to solve prospective problems (K_U05) U4: uses elements of GILT terminology and professional localization terminology to describe the context of localization projects and the organization and characteristics of the localization process, propose, justify, critically describe and evaluate the choice of particular translation technique used to render a digital text into Polish or English, indicating potential problems (K_U06)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

n/a

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture
- participatory lecture

Exploratory teaching methods

- project work
- case study
- situational

Prerequisites

Academic interest in localization. Good command of Polish (B2+), as the course covers English-Polish translation and localization.

Course coordinators

Dorota Guttfeld

Assessment criteria

U1:
- a written listing and brief discussion of localization challenges in a selected game, website, or digital service.
- glossary entries coveing localization terminology (to be used for a terminology test)

U2: Comments on localization challenges in a sample digital product added by the student to assets or localization instructions.

U3: Group tasks:
- quality of the localization
- internal instructions and workflow (in-class observation)
- team self-evaluation covering localization workflow, communication issues, and improvements implemented.

U4:
- a written self-evaluation or peer review (a listing of arguments for and against particular localization solutions used by a student; examples of issues).
- a written test on localization terminology (online).

Practical placement

n/a

Bibliography

Bernal-Merino, Migue. 2015. Translation and Localisation in Video Games. London/New York: Routledge.
Chandler, Heather. 2005. The Game Localization Handbook. Massachusetts: Charles River Media.
Esselink, Bert. 2000. A Practical Guide to Localization. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing.
O’Hagan, Minako and Carmen Mangiron. 2013. Game localization: translating for the global digital entertainment industry. Amsterdam:
John Benjamins Publishing.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2510-f1ENG3W-LLT-ITL in USOSweb