TRN4300 - Intermediate Interpreting

Leader: Dr Helen Treble

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This subject follows on from the Semester 1 subject, TRN4200 Theory and Practice of Interpreting. In this unit, further theoretical studies are introduced along with practical applications. The topics to be covered for this interpreting exercise will have an emphasis on industry, business, politics, general contemporary affairs, education, medicine, tourism, government institutions etc. The development of skills and techniques needed for consecutive interpreting such as techniques of note-taking, sight translation, interpreting numbers, interview interpreting and speech interpreting of approximately 5 minutes will be undertaken. The practical applications in this unit also serve as preparation for further studies in TRN5400 Advanced interpreting.

Objectives

At the completion of this subject, students should

1. have gained theoretical knowledge of the various facets of interpreting and an insight into the practical aspects of acting as an interpreter in an industry/social environment ;
2. have developed the specific skills needed to provide consecutive interpreting of both dialogue and speech.
3. be able to identify the implicit structural organization of an extemporaneous speech
4. be able to perceive essential meaning and have further developed note-taking techniques.
5. have mastered the necessary interpreting skills to deliver a clear, stylish and faithful presentation.
6. have expanded their active vocabulary to include the terms and idioms frequently used in extemporaneous speeches.
7. At the end of the course, students are able to interpret passages that are delivered at professional settings, are of moderate difficulty.

Assessment

Weekly assignments (including journal) and class performance (Equivalent to 4500 words) : 30%
Essay (2000 words) : 20%
Mid-semester oral exam (1 hour - Equivalent to 1000 words) : 20%
End-of-semester examination (1.5 hours - Equivalent to 1500 words) : 30%
Class performance points awarded on student's attendance rate, classroom participation and performance at supervised computer lab tutoring sessions.

Contact hours

Four hours of workshops per week (2 hours per language direction) In addition, 20 hours per week will be spent in assigned interpreting tasks, including 10 hours of compulsory laboratory work.

Prerequisites

TRN4040, TRN4200

Prohibitions

TRN5300