Advanced English <> Spanish Translation Skills syllabus
English <> Spanish Advanced Translation Skills – Main Page
2021 class: 10 sessions
New in 2021:
We are offering separate two hour courses students can take voluntarily, which are also available to others.
Translations are assigned in both directions:
- English to Spanish
- Spanish to English
In most cases, the expectation is that translators will become certified in translation into their stronger language (L1), not in their weaker language (L2). The International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI) did a study and found that many translators actually work into their non-native language (L2) for various reasons. Read the study results. In our training, we will focus on our L2 skills because it will help us in the following ways:
- When we explain our translation choices to our source language client, who is native in our L2 language, we will be better equipped to do so.
- Understanding how to translate into our L2 helps us understand the syntax of the L2 better and strengthens our L2 to L1 skills.
Interpreters often have to do some L1 to L2 translation in any event by helping clients fill out forms and perform other tasks. Since the non-English speakers are providing oral input and the interpreters are writing, this would be audio translation.
Topics covered (will be adapted based on the needs of the group)
Our sessions are live teleconferences. Attendance is required. Each session consists of twenty or thirty minutes of theory followed by review of the homework assignment due for discussion that day.
Having completed the homework, reviewed the partner’s work, and submitted the reviewed work on time for the instructors to review the homework before the class makes participation more productive and course participation more successful.
Participants who consistently do their work on time, review each other’s work on time, and participate in teleconferences, obtain the best results in our course. We are not responsible for enforcing participation. Our certificate of attendance reflects sessions attended.
Translation course syllabus
Theory topics and translation sections will have separate links for attendance. Starting on week 6, Spanish to English translation specialists will meet on Thursdays, not Tuesdays, for the translation review portion of the course. Everyone will meet on Tuesdays for the theory portion of the course for the complete duration of the course.Syllabus subject to change based on the needs of the students.
| Date | Theory topic | Translation to be discussed |
|---|---|---|
| 01/07/2021 | Introduction. Review of admissions test. Overview of how assignments will be done and evaluated | Translation done for admissions test |
| 01/14/2021 | Analysis of the message | English to Spanish #1 |
| 01/21/2021 | Translation and review process. Balancing the use of different procedures | Spanish to English #1 |
| 01/28/2021 | Chicago Manual of Style: Overview. | English to Spanish #2 |
| 02/04/2021 | Spanish style guides. Overview. | Spanish to English #2 |
| 02/11/2021 | Online translation resources vetted by ATA. Theory on Thursday, 5:15 to 6:00 | E to S Feb 11 6:15 to 7:15 S to E discussion Feb 16 at 5:15 |
| 02/18/2021 | Translating meaning for meaning: Terminology research based on usage. Theory on Thursday, 5:15 to 6:00 | E to S Feb 18 6:15 to 7:15 S to E Feb 23 |
| 02/25/2021 | Reading the text as a translator. Translation procedures. Theory on Thursday, 5:15 to 6:00 | E to S Feb 25 6:15 to 7:15 S to E March 2 |
| 03/04/2021 | How to make your translation clear to your readers and meet the standards of the language geeks. Theory on Thursday, 5:15 to 6:00 | E to S March 4, 6:15 to 7:15 S to E March 9 |
| 03/11/2021 | Time management when translating with a deadline such as the ATA exam. Theory on Thursday, 5:15 to 6:00 | E to S March 11, 6:15 to 7:15 S to E March 16 |