Theory and Techniques of French Translation
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course will focus on reflection on the basis of translated studies and ability to produce good quality, potentially publishable texts through translations with a gradual difficulty level.
Expected learning outcomes
The course includes a first part (Modules A and B) in which to reflect on the studies of translation, particularly literary translation. In this first part, from a translating and contrasting point of view, we will reflect on the context and the linguistic code, with particular attention to the Italian language. The second part of the course (Module C) will deal with the translation of some literary texts of gradual difficulty, with particular attention to the context and purpose of each proposed passage. The exam will consist of a written test (translation of a literary passage of about 3000 characters) and an oral test (discussion of the proposed translation) in French.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course, whose title is Translation studies and practical translations applications, consists of the following three units:
A: Translation theory aspects. (20 hours, 3 credits)
B: Context reflections from the perspective of translation. (20 hours, 3 credits)
C: The context: an indispensable element for narrative translation (20 hours, 3 credits)
Students who want to acquire 6 credits should study units A and B; students intending to acquire 9 credits should study the whole program (units A, B and C).
Units A, B and C will be taught in the second semester.
Units A and B aim to initiate a reflection on the studies of translation, particularly in the field of translation for literature. In this phase, we will also reflect on the context and the linguistic code, with particular attention to the Italian language.
Unit C will deal with the translation of some literary texts of gradual difficulty, with particular attention to the context and purpose of each passage proposed.
The course program is accepted until February 2026. Since the summer session of 2026, students will have to study the 2024-25 course program exclusively.
A: Translation theory aspects. (20 hours, 3 credits)
B: Context reflections from the perspective of translation. (20 hours, 3 credits)
C: The context: an indispensable element for narrative translation (20 hours, 3 credits)
Students who want to acquire 6 credits should study units A and B; students intending to acquire 9 credits should study the whole program (units A, B and C).
Units A, B and C will be taught in the second semester.
Units A and B aim to initiate a reflection on the studies of translation, particularly in the field of translation for literature. In this phase, we will also reflect on the context and the linguistic code, with particular attention to the Italian language.
Unit C will deal with the translation of some literary texts of gradual difficulty, with particular attention to the context and purpose of each passage proposed.
The course program is accepted until February 2026. Since the summer session of 2026, students will have to study the 2024-25 course program exclusively.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, taught in French and Italian, the course materials and the bibliography require a good competence both in French and Italian.
Teaching methods
The course employs the following teaching methods: lectures, translation assignments, group reading and analysis of source and target texts, seminars on translation for literature.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on the Ariel online teaching platform on which students can find all the texts and materials provided during the lessons.
The following list contains the bibliography for the three units of the course. Editions of reference are indicated.
Antoine BERMAN, Pour une critique des traductions : John Donne, Paris, Gallimard, 1995.
Antoine BERMAN, L'épreuve de l'étranger. Culture et traduction dans l'Allemagne romantique, Gallimard, 1984.
A. Bramati, Le trappole del francese : Una grammatica per i traduttori dal francese all'italiano, edizioni Cortina, Milano, 2019
Bramati A. (a cura di), Théorie et pratique de la traduction du français vers l'italien, Lumi, Milano 2023 [dispensa disponibile presso la Libreria LUMI di Sesto San Giovanni. Mail: [email protected]; tel. 02.83.41.38.30 oppure 338.995508]
Umberto ECO, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Bompiani, 2003
Franco FORTINI, Lezioni sulla traduzione, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2010
Mathieu GUIDÈRE, Introduction à la traductologie, Penser la traduction : hier, aujourd'hui, demain, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2010.
Yvon KEROMMES, De la source à la cible : la fidélité... aux principes, ou l'art du compromis. 2006, Mons, Belgique. CIPA, pp.177-188, 2007.
Jean-René LADMIRAL, Traduire: théorèmes pour la traduction, 1919, Petite Bibliothèque Payot
Georges MOUNIN, Les Belles infidèles. Essai sur la traduction, Cahiers du Sud, 1955 ; Presses universitaires de Lille, 1994.
Bruno OSIMO, Manuale del traduttore, Milano, Hoepli, 2003
Josiane PODEUR, Jeux de traduction/Giochi di traduzione, Napoli, Liguori, 2009
Jean SOUBRIER et Christian THUDEROZ, Traduire, est-ce négocier ? In : Négociations 2010/2 (n°14), pp. 37-57, consultable en ligne https://www.cairn.info/revue-negociations-2010-2-page-37.htm
The following list contains the bibliography for the three units of the course. Editions of reference are indicated.
Antoine BERMAN, Pour une critique des traductions : John Donne, Paris, Gallimard, 1995.
Antoine BERMAN, L'épreuve de l'étranger. Culture et traduction dans l'Allemagne romantique, Gallimard, 1984.
A. Bramati, Le trappole del francese : Una grammatica per i traduttori dal francese all'italiano, edizioni Cortina, Milano, 2019
Bramati A. (a cura di), Théorie et pratique de la traduction du français vers l'italien, Lumi, Milano 2023 [dispensa disponibile presso la Libreria LUMI di Sesto San Giovanni. Mail: [email protected]; tel. 02.83.41.38.30 oppure 338.995508]
Umberto ECO, Dire quasi la stessa cosa. Esperienze di traduzione, Bompiani, 2003
Franco FORTINI, Lezioni sulla traduzione, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2010
Mathieu GUIDÈRE, Introduction à la traductologie, Penser la traduction : hier, aujourd'hui, demain, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2010.
Yvon KEROMMES, De la source à la cible : la fidélité... aux principes, ou l'art du compromis. 2006, Mons, Belgique. CIPA, pp.177-188, 2007.
Jean-René LADMIRAL, Traduire: théorèmes pour la traduction, 1919, Petite Bibliothèque Payot
Georges MOUNIN, Les Belles infidèles. Essai sur la traduction, Cahiers du Sud, 1955 ; Presses universitaires de Lille, 1994.
Bruno OSIMO, Manuale del traduttore, Milano, Hoepli, 2003
Josiane PODEUR, Jeux de traduction/Giochi di traduzione, Napoli, Liguori, 2009
Jean SOUBRIER et Christian THUDEROZ, Traduire, est-ce négocier ? In : Négociations 2010/2 (n°14), pp. 37-57, consultable en ligne https://www.cairn.info/revue-negociations-2010-2-page-37.htm
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is made up of a preliminary translation test and of an oral test. The written test consists of the translation of a literary passage of about 3000 characters. The time allowed is 4 hours. Students can bring their laptops (for electronic dictionaries) or their paper dictionaries - both bilingual and monolingual. The oral test includes open questions and a critical discussion and analysis of the student's translation. bibliography. This part is carried out in French.
The written test aims at verifying the students' comprehension of French literary texts, as well as the lexical, terminological and rhetorical accuracy of their translations into Italian, and their rendering of the syntactic structure and cultural aspects of the source text. The mark is expressed in thirtieths. The results will be sent by email or uploaded on the course website within the date chosen for the oral exam. Students are free to reject the mark, by emailing their decision to [email protected] before the oral test. Candidates can check their revised test during the oral exam. The oral test is meant to verify the candidate's ability to contextualize authors and works, their terminological accuracy and their critical thinking about the topics addressed in the course. The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and students are free to reject it during the exam.
The written test aims at verifying the students' comprehension of French literary texts, as well as the lexical, terminological and rhetorical accuracy of their translations into Italian, and their rendering of the syntactic structure and cultural aspects of the source text. The mark is expressed in thirtieths. The results will be sent by email or uploaded on the course website within the date chosen for the oral exam. Students are free to reject the mark, by emailing their decision to [email protected] before the oral test. Candidates can check their revised test during the oral exam. The oral test is meant to verify the candidate's ability to contextualize authors and works, their terminological accuracy and their critical thinking about the topics addressed in the course. The final mark is expressed in thirtieths, and students are free to reject it during the exam.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/04 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - FRENCH - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)