Chinese Specialised Translation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide some tools for understanding and engaging in the translation process in the literary context, from Chinese to Italian. The first part of the course will focus on an essential theoretical framework: concepts, theories, and approaches related to translation activities from contemporary translation studies will be introduced, along with the main challenges associated with translating from Chinese. Subsequently, significant emphasis will be placed on practical translation work. By dealing with various genres and types of texts, the class will be systematically encouraged to work cooperatively to identify and apply suitable translation strategies in response to specific case studies and to engage in dialogue to discuss translation issues. Finally, the class will be given an insight into other kinds of specialized translation.
The constant interaction with the class will give the students the chance to enhance their critical thinking and their ability to communicate within a formal framework.
The constant interaction with the class will give the students the chance to enhance their critical thinking and their ability to communicate within a formal framework.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the specific challenges associated with translating specialized texts from Chinese to Italian, will be able to adopt effective strategies to render a Chinese text, and contextualize them using adequate concepts and terminology. The course therefore also aims to stimulate critical, communicative, and practical skills to enable students to approach translation exercises consciously in a professional context.
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 consists of 40 hours of frontal teaching (20 lectures, 6 credits), divided into the following core areas:
1. Introduction to theoretical foundations of translation: variations, approaches, and methods.
2. Literary translation from Chinese: practices and strategies in context.
3. Specialized translation.
1. Introduction to theoretical foundations of translation: variations, approaches, and methods.
2. Literary translation from Chinese: practices and strategies in context.
3. Specialized translation.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the grammatical and syntactical structures of contemporary Chinese. Proficiency in Italian.
Teaching methods
The course has a strong workshop-based approach. Attending students will be required to engage in translation exercises on assigned texts, both individually and in groups. While some lectures will be delivered in a traditional format, considerable emphasis will be placed on dialogue and reflection concerning translation strategies, processes, and outcomes.
Participation in activities and events is considered an integral part of the study program. News and updates on events, teaching and materials will be available on the ARIEL platform.
Participation in activities and events is considered an integral part of the study program. News and updates on events, teaching and materials will be available on the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Resources
For students ATTENDING the course:
1. Materials provided during class sessions, which will be promptly uploaded to the ARIEL platform.
2. Guest lectures and seminars with experts, scheduled throughout the course.
3. Pesaro, Nicoletta (ed.). La traduzione del cinese. Riflessioni, strategie e tipologie testuali. Milano: Hoepli, 2023. (selected chapters)
For students NOT ATTENDING the course:
1. Pesaro, Nicoletta, ed. La traduzione del cinese. Riflessioni, strategie e tipologie testuali. Milano: Hoepli, 2023.
2. Pozzi, Silvia. Il carattere e la lettera. Tradurre dal cinese all'italiano. Milano: Hoepli, 2022.
4. Gallo, Simona, and Codeluppi, Martina, eds. Mother Tongues and Other Tongues. Creating and Translating Sinophone Poetry. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2024.
1. Materials provided during class sessions, which will be promptly uploaded to the ARIEL platform.
2. Guest lectures and seminars with experts, scheduled throughout the course.
3. Pesaro, Nicoletta (ed.). La traduzione del cinese. Riflessioni, strategie e tipologie testuali. Milano: Hoepli, 2023. (selected chapters)
For students NOT ATTENDING the course:
1. Pesaro, Nicoletta, ed. La traduzione del cinese. Riflessioni, strategie e tipologie testuali. Milano: Hoepli, 2023.
2. Pozzi, Silvia. Il carattere e la lettera. Tradurre dal cinese all'italiano. Milano: Hoepli, 2022.
4. Gallo, Simona, and Codeluppi, Martina, eds. Mother Tongues and Other Tongues. Creating and Translating Sinophone Poetry. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2024.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral assessment in which the student will be asked to perform a translation exercise from Chinese into Italian, based on the course content, and will be examined on the theoretical topics covered during the course. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability to contextualize and critically discuss translation choices.
Active participation in the course, the drafting of group work, the exhibition of works on the issues addressed will also be evaluated.
Active participation in the course, the drafting of group work, the exhibition of works on the issues addressed will also be evaluated.
L-OR/21 - CHINESE AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Gallo Simona
Professor(s)