Translation of non-literary texts
2510-f2ENG2W-TNLT
The course acquaints the students with the techniques used to solve problems in translation of academic, scientific and other selected non-literary texts. Translation-related problems in the areas of stylistic conventions, lexis and grammar of Polish and English will be discussed from a contrastive perspective. The first part of the course focuses on characteristic features of selected academic, research and scientific texts from the perspective of translation. The second part focuses on other types of non-literary texts. Students will master their translation competence working with excerpts of non-literary texts. Students will work individually and in groups with authentic texts: analyzing, translating into Polish and English, correcting, and discussing problems.
Content distribution:
− Analysis, translation and correction of Polish and English academic and scientific texts
− Analysis, translation and correction of Polish and English non-literary texts
- Evaluation: two in-class assignments (involving translation of text excerpts) and a final examination test
− Feedback on evaluation
Total student workload
1 ECTS = 30 hour workload per semester
Contact hours with teacher:
- participation in classes - 30 hrs
Learning outcomes - knowledge
The student
W1: has advanced knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of English, enabling them to translate selected non-literary texts from English into Polish and from Polish into English (K_W02)
W2: has advanced knowledge about translation problems and requirements connected with translation of selected non-literary texts (K_W03)
W3: has advanced knowledge of the range of usage of specialist terminology from the discussed non-literary texts and problems connected with their translation (K_W04)
W4: The graduate is familiar with the connections between technical restrictions in translation and the characteristics of particular media and channels of communication (K_W08)
W5:has in-depth knowledge of English language for special purposes, and especially of the academic language and language of science (K_U11)
W6: has advanced knowledge of the differences between the conventions used in Polish and English non-literary texts in the areas of the structure of the text, register, formulaic language structures (K_W13)
Learning outcomes - skills
The student
U1: is able to read and comprehend selected specialist source texts and translate them, preserving their meaning and taking into consideration the needs of the target audience (K_U02 )
U2: is able to translate advanced non-literary texts from selected areas from English into Polish (K_U03 K_U17)
U3: is able to translate advanced non-literary texts from selected areas from Polish into English (K_U04 K_U17)
U4: can identify the dominant function and other relevant properties of translated texts and describe them using translation terminology (K_U10)
U5: is capable of identifying and correcting language errors characteristic of the B2+ level of foreign language proficiency (K_U15)
U6: is able to translate advanced selected non-literary texts, using various translation tools (K_U12)
U7: is able to choose and apply in translation stylistic means and register suitable for a given text and target audience (K_U18)
Learning outcomes - social competencies
The student
K1: understands the need for verification and constant improvement of their translation competence and accepts constructive assessment of their translation work. The student actively participates in translation tasks involving coordinated effort in group work, appraises translation choices of other translators and comments on them (K_K01)
K2: identifies problems and errors in translation and proposes and justifies solutions and corrections (K_K04)
K3: graduate is aware of ethical and professional translation standards and conforms to them in the translation process (K_K07)
Teaching methods
Expository teaching methods:
- discussion, description, problem-based lecture
Exploratory methods:
- laboratory, seminar, case study, practical, brainstorming
Expository teaching methods
- discussion
- description
- problem-based lecture
Exploratory teaching methods
- seminar
- brainstorming
- laboratory
- case study
- practical
Online teaching methods
- content-presentation-oriented methods
- exchange and discussion methods
- cooperation-based methods
- methods developing reflexive thinking
Prerequisites
Proficiency in Polish
Course coordinators
Term 2025/26Z: | Term 2022/23Z: | Term 2023/24Z: | Term 2024/25Z: |
Assessment criteria
Assessment methods:
The final examination grade is the sum of the following:
− the results of in-class tasks involving translation of an excerpt of non-literary, academic or scientific texts (30%) (W1, W3, W5, U1, U3, U5, U7, K1, K3)
− the results of a final examination test consisting in translating one excerpt of non-literary text from Polish into English and one excerpt of non-literary text from English into Polish. (70%) (W1, W3, W5, U1, U2, U3, U5, U7, K3)
The assignments (in the form of online, in-class and homework tasks) shall be kept in a (printed or electronic) portfolio to facilitate monitoring student's progress and grading.
2 unexcused absences per semester
Assessment criteria:
fail – 0-59%
satisfactory – 60-69 %
satisfactory plus – 70-75 %
good – 76-85 %
good plus – 86-90%
very good – 91-100%
Practical placement
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: