Introduction to Interpreting

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Evidence advanced theoretical knowledge and (where appropriate) professional skills over an extended piece of work
• Apply theory in order to communicate effectively between English and at least one other language in writing and orally in a variety of professional contexts
• Analyse and reflect on your own professional practice and experience and identify areas for change

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Communicate complex ideas and arguments orally and in writing
• Use specialist IT skills confidently and appropriately in relevant professional contexts
• Work at a professional level across at least two languages
• Demonstrate high level interpersonal skills and intercultural awareness
• Monitor and evaluate professional activity, including self-evaluation
• Engage in debate around complex ideas and theories

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• How interpreting theory is applied in a professional setting, dealing with the complexities of working and thinking globally and across cultures
• Interpreting theories and methods, including the fundamental theoretical frameworks in the field of interpreting
• The impact of social-cultural contexts on interpreting practices and the ethical responsibilities of professional interpreters

The module will typically cover such themes as:

• Basic interpreting theories and research
• The historical and social context of Interpreting
• Ethics and ethical consideration in translation research
• The role and positioning of interpreters
• Interpreting Research Methods
• Interpreting skills: memorisation, logic analysis, note-taking skill
• Sight translation
• Oral summary and Shadow exercise
• Consecutive interpreting

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• lectures and seminars;
• whole class, small group and pair work activities
• student-led activities, peer support activities
• blackboard as digital resource;
• tutor feedback on individual and group activities.

Learning activities include:

• academic reading related to specific subjects
• contributing individually and as a group to understand and discuss topics introduced in class
• use of interactive interpreting resources on a regular basis;
• assessing online resources for interpreting practice
• shadow practice/sight translation/note-taking/glossary building tasks

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Daniel Gile (2009). Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training Revised edition. John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Franz Pöchhacker (2004). Introducing Interpreting Studies. Routledge.

Holly Mikkelson; Renee Jourdenais (2015). The Routledge handbook of interpreting. Routledge.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External