Mandarin Translation Practice
| Module title | Mandarin Translation Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLM3013 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Xiaoxi Sun (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 2 |
|---|
Module description
The module is for inbound exchange students or international students working towards a C1 level of proficiency or above in Mandarin and English. You will practice translating a range of text types from Mandarin to English and from English to Mandarin.
You will be taught alongside students of MLM3111, Advanced Chinese Language Skills.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to:
- enhance and develop further skills in the translation of the variety of texts from and into Mandarin
- revise grammatical structures and to expand the range of expression including idiomatic usage
- introduce how to explain and justify translation decisions in a commentary
- develop transferrable skills in research, critical thinking and communication
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply a knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of Mandarin and English, including some complex or advanced structures
- 2. Tackle complex translation passages in and out of Mandarin based on a wide range of topics in a variety of written styles
- 3. Explain and justify your translation decisions with reference to relevant research
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Use bilingual and standard monolingual dictionaries to research conventions of usage, find synonyms and antonyms, and explore nuances of meaning.
- 5. Understand and use in class discussion a broad range of linguistic terminology to conceptualise your mistakes in the target language and to identify strategies for improving your linguistic accuracy
- 6. Engage critically with Mandarin-language and English-language media (printed and electronic, including television and radio), using it as a resource for independent research
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Advance your linguistic competence independently, with limited guidance (with potential for learning new languages independently in the future).
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Practice of translation to and from Mandarin
- Weekly in-class discussion of translation decisions and strategies.
- Revision of specific grammatical points emerging from the source texts e.g. use of prepositions, subordinate clauses and complex structures.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 1-hour translation seminars |
| Guided independent study | 128 | Preparing translations for class discussion; studying written materials in Mandarin and English to develop linguistic competencies |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 pieces of formative translation assessment | Up to 300 word source text + 300 word commentary per formative | 1-7 | Individual written feedback + seminar discussion |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Translation into Mandarin + commentary | 50 | 2 hours | 1-7 | Written group feedback, with oral feedback on request |
| Translation into English + commentary | 50 | 2 hours | 1-7 | Written group feedback, with oral feedback on request |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation into English + commentary exam (2 hour) | Translation into English + commentary exam (2 hour) | 1-7 | Referral / Deferral period |
| Translation into Mandarin + commentary exam (2 hour) | Translation into Mandarin + commentary exam (2 hour) | 1-7 | Referral / Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Module booklets, available at the beginning of each term on ELE
- Hornby, Albert Sydney and Lee Peita (1998) The Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Ross, Claudia and Jen-heng Sheng Ma. (2014) Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide. London and New York: Routledge.
- Shei, Chris (2014) Understanding the Chinese Language: A Comprehensive Linguistic Introduction. London and New York: Routledge
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | Equivalent level of MLM2052 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 26/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 26/02/2025 |
