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Literary translation B-A (English-Spanish)

Code: 101295 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2500249 Translation and Interpreting OT 4

Contact

Name:
Gabriel Lopez Guix
Email:
gabriel.lopez@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

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


Prerequisites

Prerequisites:
  • Language requirements: English C1.2 (CEFR). Exchange students should contact the course coordinator regarding Spanish language level requirements.

  • Have taken 101418 Foreign-language literature for translators (English), or equivalent.

 

At the beginning of the course students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic methodological principles governing translation, professional

    and instrumental aspects and the contrastive problems for this language combination.

  • Demonstrate they are familiar with literary trends in English.

  • Differentiate between literary genres and identify their specific features.

  • Apply strategies to further their literary knowledge to be able to translate.

  • Apply literary knowledge to be able to translate.


Objectives and Contextualisation

The aim of this course is to develop problem-solving skills when translating literary texts reflecting different genres. By the end of this course students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methodological principles governing the translation of literary texts, professional and instrumental aspects, and contrastive problems for this language combination.
  • Apply this knowledge to solving translation problems in classic and contemporary literary texts for genres such as prose, poetry, theatre.
  • Combine different areas of knowledge when making decisions about questions related to translating literary texts.
  • Convey information, ideas, problems and solutions related to translating literary texts.
  • Apply their skills so that they can work with greater autonomy in future specialised studies in translating literary texts.

Competences

  • Applying cultural knowledge in order to translate. 
  • Applying topic-based knowledge in order to translate.
  • Mastering the main methodological principles of translation. 
  • Mastering the professional aspects of translation.
  • Producing written texts in a foreign language in order to translate.
  • Producing written texts in language A in order to translate.
  • Solving translation problems from different specialisation fields (legal, financial, scientific, technical, literary, audiovisual texts, localization).
  • Solving translation problems of non-specialised texts.
  • Understanding written texts in a foreign language in order to translate.
  • Understanding written texts in language A in order to translate.
  • Using documentation resources in order to translate.
  • Using technological resources in order to translate.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Applying lexical, morphosyntactic, textual, rhetorical and linguistic variation related knowledge: Applying graphical, lexical, morphosyntactic, textual, rhetorical and linguistic variation related knowledge.
  2. Applying technological resources in order to solve translation problems: Applying the technological resources in order to solve literary translation problems.
  3. Applying the documentation resources in order to solve translation problems: Applying the documentation resources in order to solve translation problems.
  4. Appropriately following the different phases for the creation of a translation and carrying out the assigned tasks: Appropriately following the different phases for the creation of a literary translation and carrying out the assigned tasks.
  5. Comprehending the communicative purpose and sense of written texts of several fields: Comprehending the communicative purpose and sense of literary texts.
  6. Finding the most appropriate translation solution in each case: Finding the most appropriate translation solution for each case.
  7. Handling problems related to the practice of the profession of translator: Handling problems related to the practice of the profession of literary translator.
  8. Identifying the existing (digital and analogue) information sources in order to translate: Identifying the existing (digital and analogue) information sources in order to translate literary texts.
  9. Identifying the need to mobilise topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Identifying the need to mobilise topic-based knowledge in order to translate literary texts.
  10. Identifying the specific translation problems of each field: Identifying the specific translation problems of each field.
  11. Implementing strategies in order to produce written texts of different fields and with specific communicative purposes: Implementing strategies in order to produce literary written texts with specific communicative purposes.
  12. Implementing strategies in order to understand written texts from different fields: Implementing strategies in order to comprehend literary texts.
  13. Implementing strategies to acquire topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Implementing strategies to acquire topic-based knowledge in order to translate literary texts.
  14. Incorporating cultural knowledge in order to solve translation problems: Incorporating cultural knowledge in order to solve literary translation problems.
  15. Incorporating topic-based knowledge in order to solve translation problems: Incorporating topic-based knowledge in order to solve translation problems.
  16. Possessing topic-based knowledge in order to translate: Possessing topic-based knowledge in order to translate literary texts.
  17. Producing written texts that are appropriate to their context and possess linguistic correctness: Producing literary written texts that are appropriate to their context and possess linguistic correctness.
  18. Solving interferences between the working languages: Solving interferences between the working languages.
  19. Students must demonstrate they know the different types of translation problems and errors: Students must demonstrate they know the different types of literary translation problems and errors.
  20. Students must demonstrate they know the functioning of the translation labour market: Students must demonstrate they know the functioning of the labour market of literary translation.
  21. Students must demonstrate they know the techniques and strategies needed to solve translation problems: Students must demonstrate they know the techniques and strategies needed to solve literary translation problems.
  22. Using the appropriate strategies and techniques in order to solve translation problems: Using the appropriate strategies and techniques in order to solve literary translation problems.

Content

  • Methodology of literary translation (basic rules of literary translation in the linguistic combination).
  • Professional aspects of literary translation.
  • Resolution of translation problems of prose genres such as memories, stories, novel chapters, essays, letters, etcetera.
  • Resolution of translation problems of poetry genres such as poems, songs, etcetera.
  • Resolution of translation problems of dramatic genres such as plays, opera scripts, etc.
  • Resolution of translation problems of other literary genres such as comics, children's literature, aphorisms, etc.
  • Use of technological tools and specific documentation sources for non-literary editorial translation.
  • Use of dictionaries, glossaries, specialized databases and parallel texts relevant to literary translation.

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Activities related with literary translation 29 1.16 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Solving exercises 10 0.4 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6
Type: Supervised      
Debates and activities on relevant aspects of literary translation 5 0.2 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Preparation of translations and assignements 10 0.4 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Type: Autonomous      
Preparation of exercises 8.1 0.32 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Preparation of translations and assignements 50.4 2.02 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Research and documentation 30 1.2 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22

An active methodology with activities of various types is used. The instruments of the Virtual Campus of the UAB or any other visual teaching and learning environment are used.

Possible methodologies:

  • Carrying out translation tasks
  • Realization of translation projects
  • Resolution of exercises
  • Presentations of individual or group work
  • Debates (in person or in forums)
  • Cooperative learning techniques


The didactic activities are organized in three blocks, according to the degree of autonomy required by the student:

  • Directed activities: respond to a predetermined time schedule and require the classroom management of a teacher.
  • Supervised activities: require more or less stringent supervision of a teacher.
  • Autonomous activities: the student organizes time and effort autonomously (individually or in groups).



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

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exercises and assignements related to relevant aspects of literary translation 30 2.25 0.09 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22
Literary translation activities 30 2.25 0.09 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6
Reflection on the specificity of literary translation 40 3 0.12 1, 3, 2, 13, 12, 11, 5, 20, 19, 21, 7, 10, 9, 8, 14, 15, 17, 4, 18, 16, 6, 22

Continuous evaluation is used.

Possible evaluation activities:

  • Execution of real or simulated translation tasks, or tasks related to relevant aspects of the translation.
  • Realization of translation projects.
  • Reports / forums about translations or about tasks related to relevant aspects of the translation.
  • Journals / cards / reflective reports on the learning process or on the process of preparing the translations.
  • Student's folder (Portfolio).

The maximum value of each of the evaluable activities will be 40% of the total of the final mark. Therefore, there will be a minimum of 3 evaluable activities. The information about the evaluation, the type of evaluation activity and its weight on the subject is for information purposes only. The teacher in charge of the subject will specify it at the beginning of the teaching.

Review

When publishing final grades 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  final grade for the subject and that they have a weighted average grade of at least 3.5.

The lecturer will inform students, in writing, of the procedure involved when publishing final grades 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 grade be retaken or compensated for. In the case of retakes, the maximum grade will be 5 (Pass).

Classification as "not assessable"

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

Misconduct in assessment activities

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.

Students who engage in misconduct (plagiarism, copying, personation, etc.) in an assessment activity will receive a grade 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 activities.

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 a minimum of three assessment activities of different types, as stated in the assessment guidelines.

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

1. Monolingual dictionaries in Spanish

Casares, Julio, Diccionario ideológico de la lengua española, Barcelona, Gustavo Gili, 1999.

Diccionario general de la lengua española (DGLE), Barcelona, Biblograf, 1999, 1ª reimpr.

Moliner, María, Diccionario de uso del español, 2 vols., Madrid, Gredos 2007, 3ª ed.

Real Academia Española, Diccionario de la lengua española, Madrid, Espasa-Calpe, 1992, 21ª ed.

Seco, Manuel, Olimpia Andrés y Gabino Ramos, Diccionario del español actual, 2 vols., Madrid, Aguilar, 1999.

 

2. Monolingual dictionaries in English

New Oxford English Dictionary, 20 vols., Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1989.

The New Shorter Oxford Dictionary, 2 vols., Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1994, 4ª reimpr.

Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Springfield (Mass.), Merriam-Webster, 1993.

 

3. Bilingual dictionaries in Spanish

Collins universal español-inglés/English-Spanish Dictionary, Barcelona, Grijalbo, 2009, 8ª ed.

Diccionario Oxford español-inglés inglés-español, Madrid, Oxford University Press, 2008, 4ª ed..

Diccionario internacional Simon&Schuster inglés-español español-inglés, Nueva York, MacMillan, 1997, 2ªed.

Gran diccionario Larousse español-inglés English-Spanish, Barcelona, Larousse, 2008, 2ª ed.

 

4. Reference works in English

Alexander, L. G., Longman English Grammar, Londres, Longman, 1988.

Collins Cobuild English Grammar, Londres, HarperCollins, 2006, 2ª ed. rev.

Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford/Nueva York, Oxford University Press, 2005, 3ª ed.

Quirk, Randolph, y Greenbaum, Sidney, A University Grammar of English, Harlow (Essex), Longman, 1993, 28ª reimpr.

Thompson, A. J., y A. V. Martinet, A Practical English Grammar, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1996, 4ª ed.

 

5. Reference works in Spanish

Agencia Efe, Manual del español urgente, Madrid, Cátedra, 2006, 18ª ed. corr. y aum. 

Alarcos Llorach, Emilio, Gramática de la lengua española, Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 1994.

Bosque, Ignacio (director), Redes. Diccionario combinatorio del español contemporáneo, Madrid, SM, 2004.

Corripio, Fernando, Diccionario de ideas afines, Barcelona, Herder, 2000, 7ª ed.

Fundéu-BBVA, Vademécum: Diccionario de dudas del español, disponible en edición digital.

García Yebra, Valentín, Claudicación en el uso de las preposiciones, Madrid, Gredos, 1988.

Gili Gaya, Samuel, Curso superior de sintaxis española, Barcelona, Vox, 1993, 15ª ed.

Lázaro Carreter, Fernando, El dardo en la palabra, Barcelona, Círculo de lectores, 1997.

—, El nuevo dardo en la palabra, Madrid, Aguilar, 2003.

Lorenzo, Emilio, El español de hoy, lengua en ebullición, Madrid, Gredos, 1994, 4ª ed.

—, Anglicismos hispánicos, Madrid, Gredos, 1996.

—, El español en la encrucijada, Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 1999.

Martínez de Sousa, José, Diccionariode usos y dudas del español actual (DUDEA), Gijón, Trea, 2008, 4ª ed.

—, Manual de estilo de la lengua española 4 (MELE 4), Gijón, Trea, 2012, 4ª ed. rev. y amp.

—, Ortografía y ortotipografía del español actual, Gijón, Trea, 2004.

—, Diccionario de uso de las mayúsculas y minúsculas, Gijón, Trea, 2007.

Marsá, Francisco, Diccionario normativo y guía práctica de la lengua española, Barcelona, Ariel, 1994.

País, El, Libro de estilo, Madrid, Aguilar, 2002. 

Real Academia Española, Nueva gramática de la lengua española, Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 2009.

Real Academia Española, Ortografía de la lengua española, Madrid, Espasa Calpe, 1999.

Redes, Diccionario combinatorio del español combinatorio, Madrid, SM, 2004.

Seco, Manuel, Diccionario de dudas y dificultades de la lengua española, Madrid, Espasa-Calpe, 2000, 10ª ed. 2ª reimpr.

Torrents dels Prats, A., Diccionario de dificultades del inglés, Barcelona, Juventud, 1989.

 

6. Corpora

CREA, Corpus de referencia del español actual. Existe versión en línea.

CORDE, Corpus diacrónico del español. Existe versión en línea.

 

 7. Translation textbooks

García Yebra, Valentín, Teoría y práctica de la traducción,Madrid, Gredos, 1982.

López Guix, Juan Gabriel, y Jacqueline Minett Wilkinson, Manual de traducción inglés/castellano, Barcelona, Gedisa, 2006, 5ª ed.

Newmark, Peter, A Textbook of Translation, Londres/Nueva York, Prentice Hall International Ltd, 1987. (Existe versión castellana: Manual de traducción, trad. Virgilio Moya, Madrid, Cátedra, 1992.)

Stockwell, R. P., J. D. Bowen y J. W. Martin, The Grammatical Structures of English and Spanish, Chicago-Londres, University of Chicago Press, 1965.

Wandruska, Mario, Nuestros idiomas comparables e incomparables, trad. Elena Bombín, Madrid, Gredos, 1976.

 

8. On translation

Ayala, Francisco, «Breve teoría de la traducción» (1946), en La estructura narrativa, Barcelona, Crítica, 1984.

Bellos, David, Is That a Fish in your Ear?, Londres, Faber & Faber,  2011.

Borges, Jorge Luis, «Las versiones homéricas» (1932), en Obras completas, Barcelona, Emecé, 1989.

—, «Los traductores de las 1001 noches» (1936), ibíd.

—, «Piere Menard, autor de El Quijote» (1939), ibíd.

—, «La busca de Averroes» (1947), ibíd.

Catelli, Nora, y Marietta Gargatagli, El tabaco que fumaba Plinio, Barcelona, Serbal, 1998.

Coseriu, Eugenio, «Lo erróneo y lo acertado en la teoría de la traducción», en El hombre y su lenguaje, Madrid, Gredos, 1977.

Eco, Umberto, Decir casi lo mismo, trad. Helena Lozano, Barcelona, Lumen, 2008.

Fernández González, Vicente (comp.), La traducción de la A a la Z, Córdoba, Berenice, 2008.

García Yebra, Valentín, En torno a la traducción. Teoría, crítica, historia, Madrid, Gredos, 1983.

—, Traducción: teoría y práctica, Madrid, Gredos, 1994.

Gentzler, Edwin, Contemporary Translation Theories, Londres/Nueva York, Routledge, 1993.

Grossman, Edith, Why Translation Matters, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2010.

Larbaud, Valéry, Sous l’invocation de Saint Jérome, París, Gallimard, 1946.

López Guix, Juan Gabriel, «Literalidad y libertad: un camino para la traducción literaria», en Carlos Fortea (coord.), El viaje de la literatura, Madrid, Cátedra, 2018.

– , «La conversación del traductor», en Dora Sales (ed.), Documenación aplicada a la traducción y a la interpretación, Gijón, Trea, 2023.

Marías, Javier, «Ausencia y memoria en la traducción poética» (1980), en Literatura y fantasma, Madrid, Siruela, 1993.

—, «La traducción como fingimiento y representación» (1982), ibíd.

Monterroso, Augusto, «Llorar a orillas del río Mapocho» (1983), en La palabra mágica, Barcelona, Anagrama, 1996.

Ortega y Gasset, José, «Miseria y esplendor de la traducción» (1937), en Obras completas, vol. V, Madrid, Alianza, 1983.

Palomero, Mari Pepa (compiladora), Antología de El trujamán, Madrid, Instituto Cervantes, 2002. Consultable, junto con otros múltiples textos, en el sitio del Centro Virtual Cervantes.

Paz, Octavio, Traducción: literatura y literalidad, Barcelona, Tusquets, 1971, 1990.

Ruiz Casanova, José Francisco, Ensayo de una historia de la traducción en España, Madrid, Cátedra, 2018.


Software

No specific software will be used.


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed