DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Translation Technology
Module Code LC501 (ITS) / TRA1009 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School SALIS
Module Co-ordinatorSheila Castilho
Module TeachersJoss Moorkens
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Students will have the opportunity to resubmit an amended version of their original written report or critical essay.
Description

Aiming to develop knowledge, skills and competence in the field of translation technology, this module introduces students to specialist technologies used in the translation industry, giving students hands-on experience of these technologies, and encouraging critical reflection on their value. Students are expected to attend lectures and laboratory sessions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of translation memory technology.
2. Use at least one commercial translation memory tool.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of contemporary machine translation.
4. Optimize texts for machine translation or for human translation completed using a translation memory tool.
5. Critically evaluate contemporary translation technologies and texts produced using these technologies.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12No Description
Laboratory24Hands-on sessions
Independent Study214work with translation memory tools and machine translation systems; set reading and independent reading; preparation of assignments
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Technology applications in modern translation practices
Students will be sensitised to a range of trechnologies routinely used in modern translation offices.

Familialisation with translation memory technology
Students will be familiarised with translation memory technology as the key computer-aided tool used in the profession.

Introduction to machine translation technology
Students will develop an understanding of the state of the art machine translation and related technologies and their applications in the profession.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentPractical project requiring students to use the Analyse tool in a Translation Memory system and to carry out a substantial amount of translation a Translation Memory system, with a view to ascertaining the properties of source texts that make them amenable to TM-supported translation. Students deliver a commentary on the analysis and translation process.40%Week 7
ProjectMachine translation project. Typically students evaluate a machine translation system, using a variety of techniques, and report on their findings in a critical 3,000 word essay.60%Sem 1 End
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Bowker, Lynne: 2002, Computer Aided Translation Technology: A Practical Introduction, Ottawa University Press, Ottawa,
  • Daelemans, W. & Hoste, V.: 0, Linguistica Antverpiensia: Evaluation of Translation Technology 8/2009,
  • Hartley, T.: 2009, The Routledge Companion to Translation Studies, Routledge, London/New York,
  • Hutchins, John and Somers, Harold: 1992, An Introduction to Machine Translation, Academic Press, London/San Diego,
  • O'Hagan, M.: 2009, the Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies, 2nd, Computer-aided Translation (CAT), Routledge, London,
  • Quah, Kim Chuah: 2006, Translation and Technology, Palgrave Macmillan, New York,
  • Somers, Harold: 2003, Computers and Translation: A translator s guide, John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia,
  • Trujillo, Arturo: 1999, Translation Engines: techniques for machine translation, Springer, London,
  • Sprung, Robert (ed): 2000, Translating into Success: Cutting-edge strategies for going multilingual in a global age, John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia,
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List