Theory and Techniques of German Translation
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to some essential themes of linguistic and hermeneutical reflection on translation, focusing in particular on the translation theory developed in the German area from romanticism to the present. In the practical part of the course the students are asked to confront themselves with the translation of texts belonging to different literary genres.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: In the theoretical part of the course students refine their sensitivity to some linguistic and hermeneutical aspects of translation through reflection on some translation theory.
Applying knowledge and understanding: In the practical part of the course students learn through discussion and comparison to find concrete solutions to some difficulties encountered in the translation of texts belonging to different literary genres.
Applying knowledge and understanding: In the practical part of the course students learn through discussion and comparison to find concrete solutions to some difficulties encountered in the translation of texts belonging to different literary genres.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled Modern German Theories of Translation and is divided into the following three teaching units, which will be addressed in parallel:
A: Modern German theories of translation
B: Technique of literary translation
C: Technique of translating literary theory texts
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
In Unit A, linguistic and hermeneutical issues related to translation are first dealt with. Subsequently, those translation theories developed in Germany in the 20th century by authors such as Walter Benjamin, Georg Gadamer and Wolfgang Schadewaldt are examined, which are based on the translatological reflections of the classical-romantic period (Humboldt, Goethe, Schleiermacher).
In modules B and C, on the other hand, practical exercises are performed for the translation from German to Italian of literary texts and texts of literary criticism and theory.
The course program is valid until February 2021.
A: Modern German theories of translation
B: Technique of literary translation
C: Technique of translating literary theory texts
Students who intend to acquire 6 credits will adhere to the program of units A and B; students who intend to acquire 9 credits will follow the full program (units A, B and C).
In Unit A, linguistic and hermeneutical issues related to translation are first dealt with. Subsequently, those translation theories developed in Germany in the 20th century by authors such as Walter Benjamin, Georg Gadamer and Wolfgang Schadewaldt are examined, which are based on the translatological reflections of the classical-romantic period (Humboldt, Goethe, Schleiermacher).
In modules B and C, on the other hand, practical exercises are performed for the translation from German to Italian of literary texts and texts of literary criticism and theory.
The course program is valid until February 2021.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, which is held in Italian, but uses didactic materials in German and provides for the translation of German texts into Italian, presupposes an excellent knowledge of both German and Italian.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on scheduled texts; translation of texts from German into Italian with comment and possible comparison with other existing translations.
Teaching Resources
The course has a site on the Ariel online teaching platform (https://acostazzatttt.ariel.ctu.unimi.it)which can be consulted for educational materials to download in PDF format.
Teaching unit A
The translation theory texts that will be treated will be provided in class and made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit B
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit C
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.Secondary literature
Bibliography
Friedmar Apel; Annette Kopetzki, Die literarische Übersetzung, Stuttgart 2003;
Alessandro Costazza, Tradizione e traduzione, Trento 1991 (in ARIEL), pp. 15-23;
Alessandro Costazza, „Wie eine Landkarte im Vergleich zu der Landschaft selber": Linguistische und hermeneutische Aspekte der Übersetzung, in Italo Michele Battafarano (a cura di), Über-Setzen. Eine unendliche Aufgabe, Trento 1993, pp. 87-169.
Umberto Eco, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Milano 2003;
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Torino 1997, Cap. 2: Dizionario verso enciclopedia, pp. 55-140;
Werner Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft. Wiesbaden 1997, pp. 159-214;
Annette Kopetzki, Beim Wort nehmen: sprachtheoretische und ästhetische Probleme der literarischen Übersetzung, Stuttgart 1996, pp. 162-179;
Siri Nergaard (a cura di), La teoria della traduzione nella storia, Milano 1993;
Siri Nergarrd (a cura di), Teorie contemporanee della traduzione, Milano 1995;
Radegundis Stolze, Übersetzungstheorien. Eine Einführung, Tübingen 2001³: Cap. 9: Die Rolle der literarischen Übersetzung, pp. 149-161.
Directions for non-attending students
As for the theoretical part, the non-attending students, in addition to carefully reading the texts of Benjamin, Gadamer and Schadewaldt made available on ARIEL, are also required to read the pages indicated in the bibliography of the following essays: Costazza, Tradizione e traduzione; Eco: Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio; Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft; Kopetzki, Beim Wort nehmen; Stolze, Übersetzungstheorien. To practice translation, non-attending students are invited to translate by themselves the translated texts in class, which are made available on ARIEL.
Teaching unit A
The translation theory texts that will be treated will be provided in class and made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit B
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.
Teaching unit C
The texts that will be translated and discussed will be made available on the ARIEL website.Secondary literature
Bibliography
Friedmar Apel; Annette Kopetzki, Die literarische Übersetzung, Stuttgart 2003;
Alessandro Costazza, Tradizione e traduzione, Trento 1991 (in ARIEL), pp. 15-23;
Alessandro Costazza, „Wie eine Landkarte im Vergleich zu der Landschaft selber": Linguistische und hermeneutische Aspekte der Übersetzung, in Italo Michele Battafarano (a cura di), Über-Setzen. Eine unendliche Aufgabe, Trento 1993, pp. 87-169.
Umberto Eco, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Milano 2003;
Umberto Eco, Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio, Torino 1997, Cap. 2: Dizionario verso enciclopedia, pp. 55-140;
Werner Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft. Wiesbaden 1997, pp. 159-214;
Annette Kopetzki, Beim Wort nehmen: sprachtheoretische und ästhetische Probleme der literarischen Übersetzung, Stuttgart 1996, pp. 162-179;
Siri Nergaard (a cura di), La teoria della traduzione nella storia, Milano 1993;
Siri Nergarrd (a cura di), Teorie contemporanee della traduzione, Milano 1995;
Radegundis Stolze, Übersetzungstheorien. Eine Einführung, Tübingen 2001³: Cap. 9: Die Rolle der literarischen Übersetzung, pp. 149-161.
Directions for non-attending students
As for the theoretical part, the non-attending students, in addition to carefully reading the texts of Benjamin, Gadamer and Schadewaldt made available on ARIEL, are also required to read the pages indicated in the bibliography of the following essays: Costazza, Tradizione e traduzione; Eco: Semiotica e filosofia del linguaggio; Koller, Einführung in die Übersetzungswissenschaft; Kopetzki, Beim Wort nehmen; Stolze, Übersetzungstheorien. To practice translation, non-attending students are invited to translate by themselves the translated texts in class, which are made available on ARIEL.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of one or two preliminary written tests and an oral test. Students who choose the nine-credit exam will take two preliminary tests plus the oral test, while those who choose the six-credit test will only have to take a preliminary test and an oral test. The preliminary tests consist of translations, similar to those practiced during the lessons, of a literary text and a text of literary criticism. The evaluation of the written tests will be expressed in thirtieths and will average with the mark of the oral exam. The written test must be taken in the same session, before the oral one, on a date which will be indicated well in advance. There will be a written test for each exam session. As for the theoretical part, the exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between the teacher and the student and the analysis and comment of one or more scheduled texts. The interview takes place in Italian and aims to verify the understanding of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, the ability to exhibit, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to critically and personally reflect on proposed themes. The mark of the oral test, expressed in thirtieths, will average with that or those of the written tests.
The student has the right to reject both the mark of the written tests, repeating them in another session, and the final mark (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The student has the right to reject both the mark of the written tests, repeating them in another session, and the final mark (in this case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly contact the teacher. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours