Hindi Language and Translation I

The primary aim of this course is to expand students' prior knowledge of Hindi grammar, syntax and vocabulary so as to help them achieve a strong and confident command of both oral and written Hindi.
On the one hand, the course seeks to strengthen translation, communication and text production skills across a variety of genres. On the other hand, it aims to promote a broader and deeper understanding of the various contexts in which the Hindi Language is spoken and written, as well as of the different language registers used in relation to these contexts and to the diverse groups within Indian society. Students will be introduced to the translation and production of a wide range of texts intended for print or online publication (including on social media), such as literary excerpts, newspaper articles, legal and medical documents, and tourism-related texts. Another key objective is to equip students with a rich vocabulary, with a focus on one of the most distinctive features of the Hindi language, i.e. its wealth of synonyms, to enable effective interaction with the various components of India's socio-religious fabric. Lexical analysis, conducted from both a linguistic and a cultural perspective, will enable students to ensure effective multicultural communication and interaction with members of the diverse Indian diaspora. Lastly, a central goal of the course is to provide students with methodological tools to independently enhance their language skills, through the development of textual analysis techniques, memorisation strategies, self-correction practices, and listening and comprehension exercises.

By the end of the course, students should have developed a solid theoretical, practical and metalinguistic understanding of the Hindi language. More specifically, they are expected to acquire translation skills allowing them to confidently navigate the translation of diverse texts. They should also be able to interact effectively with the various groups within India's complex and diverse society, adapting their linguistic competence to different communicative domains and to the social, religious and cultural identity of their interlocutors. Furthermore, their command of Hindi vocabulary and syntax should enable them to identify the geographical origin and social and cultural status of Hindi speakers within the varied Indian context. Students are expected to be able to use Hindi not only to express their needs and describe their experiences and those of others, but also to argue a position or negotiate on a certain matter. Lastly, they should be able to rephrase contents from a variety of textual sources, both orally and in writing. Language proficiency will be assessed not only through the final written and oral exam, but also continuously throughout the year, as students will be invited to give individual or group presentations, participate in guided discussions on course topics, draft texts, complete listening exercises, and also perform sight translations. All these tasks are designed to help students monitor and evaluate their own progress.