German Iii and Mediation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with reception and production skills in German at a level close to B2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Notably, it aims to develop mediation and translation skills from a theoretical and applied perspective, in line with the objectives of the degree programme.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire German proficiency at a medium-high level, enabling them to fluently exchange information mostly on familiar topics, both orally and in writing. They will also be able to: actively use their lexical and morphosyntactic knowledge of the language; understand oral communications and produce specialised and non-specialised written texts; analyse, summarise, restructure and translate texts using the most suitable strategies.
Lesson period: year
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
year
Course syllabus
MODULE 1 - TRANSLATION
This module focuses on the practice of translation from German into Italian, adopting a contrastive linguistic approach. The theoretical perspective will be complemented by methodological reflections on the use of digital tools, such as online lexicographic resources and artificial intelligence systems. Translation exercises will include various text types, with the aim of developing cross-disciplinary skills and critical awareness in handling the main translation challenges stemming from the systemic differences between the two languages.
MODULE 2 - TRANSLATION AND THE LANGUAGE OF TOURISM
This module focuses on the analysis and translation of tourism-related texts from German into Italian. The material to be translated includes various text genres, such as travel guides and descriptions of hotels and tourist accommodations.
MODULE 3 - TRANSLATION AND LEGAL LANGUAGE
This module examines legal language as a specialized language, highlighting the inseparable link between Recht und Sprache (law and language). It includes the analysis of legal texts in German translated into Italian, followed by translation exercises from German into Italian.
MODULE 4 - AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION
This module addresses audiovisual translation, with particular attention to subtitling. After an overview of the characteristics of audiovisual texts and the specificities of linguistic mediation in multimedia contexts, the module delves into the theoretical and practical aspects of interlingual subtitling from German into Italian.
This module focuses on the practice of translation from German into Italian, adopting a contrastive linguistic approach. The theoretical perspective will be complemented by methodological reflections on the use of digital tools, such as online lexicographic resources and artificial intelligence systems. Translation exercises will include various text types, with the aim of developing cross-disciplinary skills and critical awareness in handling the main translation challenges stemming from the systemic differences between the two languages.
MODULE 2 - TRANSLATION AND THE LANGUAGE OF TOURISM
This module focuses on the analysis and translation of tourism-related texts from German into Italian. The material to be translated includes various text genres, such as travel guides and descriptions of hotels and tourist accommodations.
MODULE 3 - TRANSLATION AND LEGAL LANGUAGE
This module examines legal language as a specialized language, highlighting the inseparable link between Recht und Sprache (law and language). It includes the analysis of legal texts in German translated into Italian, followed by translation exercises from German into Italian.
MODULE 4 - AUDIOVISUAL TRANSLATION
This module addresses audiovisual translation, with particular attention to subtitling. After an overview of the characteristics of audiovisual texts and the specificities of linguistic mediation in multimedia contexts, the module delves into the theoretical and practical aspects of interlingual subtitling from German into Italian.
Prerequisites for admission
Strong written and spoken German skills (level B1)
Excellent written and spoken Italian skills (level C2)
Advanced knowledge of German linguistics (morphology, syntax, phonetics, lexicography)
Excellent written and spoken Italian skills (level C2)
Advanced knowledge of German linguistics (morphology, syntax, phonetics, lexicography)
Teaching methods
Lectures with the use of multimedia resources
Teaching Resources
MODULE 1 - TRANSLATION
Cinato Kather, Lucia (2011): Mediazione linguistica tedesco-italiano. Hoepli
Schreiber, Michael (2016): Grundlagen der Übersetzungswissenschaft. De Gruyter
Additional texts, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
MODULE 2 - TRANSLATION AND THE LANGUAGE OF TOURISM
Teaching materials, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
MODULE 3 - TRANSLATION AND LEGAL LANGUAGE
Teaching materials, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
LANGUAGE PRACTICE ("Esercitazioni")
Braun, Birgit et al. (2020), Kompass DaF B2 - Digital edition with LMS license code for BlinkLearning (1-year access).
Course and exercise book with audio/videos and interactive exercises. Klett
(https://www.klett-sprachen.de/kompass-daf-b2-digitale-ausgabe-mit-lms/t-1/NP00867000001)
Cinato Kather, Lucia (2011): Mediazione linguistica tedesco-italiano. Hoepli
Schreiber, Michael (2016): Grundlagen der Übersetzungswissenschaft. De Gruyter
Additional texts, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
MODULE 2 - TRANSLATION AND THE LANGUAGE OF TOURISM
Teaching materials, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
MODULE 3 - TRANSLATION AND LEGAL LANGUAGE
Teaching materials, slides, and exercises available on the course's MyAriel page
LANGUAGE PRACTICE ("Esercitazioni")
Braun, Birgit et al. (2020), Kompass DaF B2 - Digital edition with LMS license code for BlinkLearning (1-year access).
Course and exercise book with audio/videos and interactive exercises. Klett
(https://www.klett-sprachen.de/kompass-daf-b2-digitale-ausgabe-mit-lms/t-1/NP00867000001)
Assessment methods and Criteria
MIDTERM EXAMS ("PARZIALI")
Midterm exams for the four official translation modules
These are held at the end of each module.
Exam format: tasks similar to those completed during the course: theoretical questions, followed—upon successful completion of the theory section—by the translation of short texts comparable to those analyzed in class.
! In order to be admitted to the midterm exams, students must:
complete the required activities for each official translation module. These activities, at the discretion of the instructor, may include group presentations ("Referate"), in-class exercises, or Moodle-based exercises. The exact nature of these activities will be specified during the first lesson of each module;
complete at least 85% of the Moodle exercises assigned for the "Esercitazioni" (Language Practice) course.
Assessment for the official translation modules:
The final grade for each module will be based on the average of the module's final test and the grades obtained for the various activities on Moodle.
Students who pass all four midterm exams (minimum grade: 18/30 in each) are exempt from the oral exam during the official exam sessions.
Midterm Computer-Based Exams ("Esercitazioni")
Held at the end of each semester (one in December, one in May).
Exam format:
1st midterm (December): listening comprehension (open- and closed-ended questions) + grammar;
2nd midterm (May): grammar + written production.
Students who pass both midterm exams are exempt from the official written exam in Esercitazioni.
Students who do not take or do not pass the midterms must take the full Esercitazioni written exam during the official sessions.
FINAL GRADE COMPOSITION
The final grade for "Lingua Tedesca III" is calculated as follows:
the average of the grades obtained in the four official translation modules (each of which must be passed with at least 18/30),
plus, where applicable, the score obtained in Esercitazioni.
OFFICIAL EXAM
The official exam consists of:
Esercitazioni (Language Practice) test: a computer-based exam including listening comprehension (open- and closed-ended questions), grammar, and written production.
Passing this test is a prerequisite for sitting the translation exams.
Translation exams: held in May/June, July 2026, September 2026, and January/February 2027. These cover the four modules of "Lingua Tedesca" (Translation; Translation and the Language of Tourism; Translation and Legal Language; Audiovisual Translation) and are designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
Each exam includes both theoretical and practical questions.
All midterm and official exams are conducted in German.
The final grade is calculated based on the average of the partial grades (Esercitazioni + Lingua Tedesca).
Important: The grades obtained in the official exams are valid only on the day of the exam session in which they are taken. They cannot be "carried over" to subsequent sessions.
GRADING CRITERIA FOR "ESERCITAZIONI"
Assessment will be based on qualitative judgments:
insufficient
sufficient = no increase
good = +0.5 points
excellent = +1 point
The final Esercitazioni grade may positively influence the average used to calculate the overall final grade.
Only students who have passed "Lingua Tedesca II" are eligible to take the midterm exams ("parziali").
FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Midterm grades will be published on the course's MyAriel page.
Assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students.
The grades obtained in the midterm exams during the academic year 2025/2026 are valid until the final exam session of that academic year, i.e., until February 13, 2026.
After this date, students who have not completed the exam must retake all parts of the exam (including any previously passed), following the updated syllabus (which may differ; please check for any changes).
Midterm exams for the four official translation modules
These are held at the end of each module.
Exam format: tasks similar to those completed during the course: theoretical questions, followed—upon successful completion of the theory section—by the translation of short texts comparable to those analyzed in class.
! In order to be admitted to the midterm exams, students must:
complete the required activities for each official translation module. These activities, at the discretion of the instructor, may include group presentations ("Referate"), in-class exercises, or Moodle-based exercises. The exact nature of these activities will be specified during the first lesson of each module;
complete at least 85% of the Moodle exercises assigned for the "Esercitazioni" (Language Practice) course.
Assessment for the official translation modules:
The final grade for each module will be based on the average of the module's final test and the grades obtained for the various activities on Moodle.
Students who pass all four midterm exams (minimum grade: 18/30 in each) are exempt from the oral exam during the official exam sessions.
Midterm Computer-Based Exams ("Esercitazioni")
Held at the end of each semester (one in December, one in May).
Exam format:
1st midterm (December): listening comprehension (open- and closed-ended questions) + grammar;
2nd midterm (May): grammar + written production.
Students who pass both midterm exams are exempt from the official written exam in Esercitazioni.
Students who do not take or do not pass the midterms must take the full Esercitazioni written exam during the official sessions.
FINAL GRADE COMPOSITION
The final grade for "Lingua Tedesca III" is calculated as follows:
the average of the grades obtained in the four official translation modules (each of which must be passed with at least 18/30),
plus, where applicable, the score obtained in Esercitazioni.
OFFICIAL EXAM
The official exam consists of:
Esercitazioni (Language Practice) test: a computer-based exam including listening comprehension (open- and closed-ended questions), grammar, and written production.
Passing this test is a prerequisite for sitting the translation exams.
Translation exams: held in May/June, July 2026, September 2026, and January/February 2027. These cover the four modules of "Lingua Tedesca" (Translation; Translation and the Language of Tourism; Translation and Legal Language; Audiovisual Translation) and are designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
Each exam includes both theoretical and practical questions.
All midterm and official exams are conducted in German.
The final grade is calculated based on the average of the partial grades (Esercitazioni + Lingua Tedesca).
Important: The grades obtained in the official exams are valid only on the day of the exam session in which they are taken. They cannot be "carried over" to subsequent sessions.
GRADING CRITERIA FOR "ESERCITAZIONI"
Assessment will be based on qualitative judgments:
insufficient
sufficient = no increase
good = +0.5 points
excellent = +1 point
The final Esercitazioni grade may positively influence the average used to calculate the overall final grade.
Only students who have passed "Lingua Tedesca II" are eligible to take the midterm exams ("parziali").
FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Midterm grades will be published on the course's MyAriel page.
Assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students.
The grades obtained in the midterm exams during the academic year 2025/2026 are valid until the final exam session of that academic year, i.e., until February 13, 2026.
After this date, students who have not completed the exam must retake all parts of the exam (including any previously passed), following the updated syllabus (which may differ; please check for any changes).
L-LIN/14 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - GERMAN - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Corso Sara, Pedrini Giulia
Professor(s)