Module: German Scientific / Technical Translation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	German Scientific / Technical Translation
Module Code	GER1031 (ITS: GE402)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module gives students a firm grounding in the translation of scientific and technical texts from German into English. It addresses the techniques and resources that are of particular value in scientific and technical translation, and exposes students to the text types that are frequently encountered in these domains, thus preparing them to take on professional translation assignments. Enhance your autonomy in sourcing appropriate background documentation Enable you to deal competently with issues of equivalence and difference Prepare you for submission of professional translation assignments

Learning Outcomes

1. Use advanced strategies in the translation from German into English of a variety of text types within the domain of science and technology.
2. Create native-speaker, domain-specialist level target language texts, which are fluent and accurate translations of the source text.
3. Work under pressure of time to create advanced translations using a computer and an array of online and hard-copy resources.
4. Locate, critically evaluate and utilise relevant terminological resources.

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20505	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Dervila Cooke	Module Teacher	Annette Schiller, Mary Phelan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Students submit translations during the semester and contribute in a meaningful way to discussion on Loop forums.	10%	n/a
Formal Examination	Students are given a fixed amount to time to do a translation and submit it on Loop - 2hrs	90%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Materials
Texts for translation will be drawn from a variety of sources including technical reports, specialist journal articles, popular science, technical manuals and promotional material, on topics drawn from different areas of science and technology.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Baker, Mona: 2018, In Other Words. A Coursebook in Translation, 3rd, Routledge, London/New York,
Byrne, Jody: 2014, Scientific and Technical Translation Explained: a nuts and bolts guide for beginners, Routledge, London/New York,
Olohan, Maeve: 2015, Scientific and Technical Translation, Routledge, London/New York,
Rogers, Margaret, Michael White, Michael Loughridge, Ian Higgins and Sándor Hervey: 2020, Thinking German Translation: A Course in Translation Method: German to English, 3rd, Routledge, London/New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None