FRENCH TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONJennifer [email protected]
JENNIFER VALCKE Over 10 years experience in translation and
proofreading from French into English Scientific and technological fields Science of sleep Literature Films and subtitling
EAP and ESP lecturer at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Action research in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
COURSE OBJECTIVES Improve word-power and text-awareness Appreciation of interlingual distance
How far removed one language is from another Understanding of translation issues and
difficulties Translation of more demanding texts
Sources: La Libre Belgique, Le Soir, Libération, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Monde Diplomatique, etc.
COURSE PROGRAMME 2 hours per week over the semester Wikispace used for course http://isti-ba3-valcke.wikispaces.com/
Tips and tools Texts (collaborative) PPT presentations Information on teaching times
HOW TO REGISTER ON THE WIKI? Provide your teacher with your email address
On the Google doc: http://bit.ly/XYptpv Accept the invitation Create a username (use your first name and
family name) Get started!
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WHAT’S DOES THE WIKI LOOK LIKE?
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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (1/5) Team 1 = Wednesday 8-10h class Team 2 = Wednesday 10-12h class
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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (2/5) Select the Project by clicking on your team
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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (3/5) To add your text, click on the edit button
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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (4/5) Use the toolbar to add or edit text, to add
comments/links/files
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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (5/5) Always save your work!
DIDACTICAL ISSUES Developing awareness of language
differences and challenges Developing exam strategies Developing translation strategies
Researching Reading “around” Using tools
ASSESSMENT Project
Details in the next class 2 students work together Long text
Final assessment 2 hours 350-word text
TRANSLATION TIPS AND STRATEGIES Translation tips found on wiki
Translation = PROCESS and SKILL Translation needs to be PRACTISED
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text
Summarize the main ideas mentally Mark passages that appear ambiguous
Read the text through a second time for clues Lexical, grammatical, cultural Linking words
Develop a questioning attitude Look at the problem passage
Does it exemplify, reinforce or contradict the information that preceded?
Develop problem-solving abilities Avoid rushing to the dictionary
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (1/2) Look for
Expressions travailler pour une bouchée de pain to work for pittance
Collocations occuper une fonction to hold a high-ranking position
Words that resemble English words (cognates) compréhensif, sensible understanding, sensitive
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (2/2) Consult the section entitled "Words to be wary
of" in the accompanying notes and exercises (on the wiki)
Be attentive to spelling differences développé vs. developed littérature vs. literature
Refer to vocabulary manuals to compile a list of common expressions and collocations
Look up words in batches Develop your own "retrieval system"
using index cards online tools, such as Head Magnet
(http://headmagnet.com/)
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 3: WRITING THE TRANSLATION Untangle long sentences
Find main clause Find the subject (implicit) Find the verb
Move sentences around If you cannot put all the information in one sentence, write
two Vocabulary
Only use words or expressions that you are familiar with or have checked in a monolingual dictionary
Never invent vocabulary or expressions Use your creative talents to experiment with English-
sounding sentence structures Fragments are often inappropriate forms in formal
English
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 4: REVISING THE TRANSLATION Check your translation for
Accuracy in meaning Logic in your choice of linking words Clarity and conciseness Appropriateness of collocations and French-
sounding vocabulary Word order and grammatical accuracy Spelling and capitalisation Punctuation
Put aside your source text and read your translation out loud for naturalness
TRANSLATION TOOLS IATE Database
ProZ.com
Macmillan dictionary (UK) Merriam-Webster dictionary (US) Translation theory Feel free to add more on the Wiki
PROJECT 1MARIAGE GAY: NON À LA COLUSION DE LA HAINE What do you think this article is about? What do you know of the context? What are the arguments of anti-gay marriage
activists? What are the arguments of pro-gay marriage
activists?
STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text
Summarize the main ideas mentally Mark passages that appear ambiguous
STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text through a second time for
clues Lexical, grammatical, cultural Linking words
STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Develop a questioning attitude
Look at the problem passage Does it exemplify, reinforce or contradict the
information that preceded? Develop problem-solving abilities Avoid rushing to the dictionary
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (1/2) Look for
Expressions Collocations Words that resemble English words
TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (2/2) Be attentive to spelling differences Look up words in batches
FOR NEXT CLASS… Step 3: writing the translation
Write your suggestions on the wiki Edit or improve others’ contributions Add comments and links
Untangle long sentences Move sentences around Vocabulary
Step 4: revising the translation Check your translation for
Accuracy Logic Clarity and conciseness Collocations and French-sounding vocabulary Word order and grammar Spelling and capitalisation Punctuation
Read your translation out loud for naturalness
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