LANG 2023 Interpreting Skills

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100193

Coordinator Chong Han Opens in new window

Description This is a core component of the Bachelor of Arts (Interpreting and Translation) and a pool subject in some postgraduate courses. The subject is aimed at developing essential skills in interpreting and deals with the specialised technical skills necessary for the different modes of interpreting: dialogue, consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation. Given the large amount of independent practice needed to develop competence in interpreting, it pays special attention to the teaching of techniques for autonomous learning. Lectures are held in English for students of all the languages available. The tutorials are language specific in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Translating and Interpreting

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Restrictions Students need to be bilingual (in the language combinations offered by the School).

Assumed Knowledge

Proficiency in English and their other language (LOTE) at native or near-native level.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. distinguish between spoken and written language in terms of content, structure, speed, text type, number of interlocutors, accent, etc;
  2. apply knowledge about different speech styles, registers, social dialects and develop skills necessary to accurately render different discourses in the target language;
  3. demonstrate an understanding of context-specific interpreting techniques used in dialogue, consecutive, simultaneous interpreting and sight translation;
  4. improve listening skills in a variety of contexts such as business, immigration, tourism and motor transport, and develop techniques for autonomous learning of these skills;
  5. use the memory skills required for dialogue interpreting and consecutive interpreting;
  6. master the note taking skills necessary to accurately interpret in the long consecutive interpreting mode, and develop techniques for autonomous learning of these skills;
  7. develop effective public speaking skills, including techniques for autonomous learning of these skills.

Subject Content

- Variables of spoken language; content, speed, text type, number of interlocutors, accent, speaker's gender; techniques for improving listening comprehension;.
- Different speech styles, registers and social dialects and interpreting exercises to develop the skill to accurately render such variables in the Target Language;.
- Characteristics of dialogue, consecutive, simultaneous interpreting and sight translation; participants and their roles; typical contexts and content and role implications for each mode; differing cognitive demands of each mode.
- Memory and interpreting: exercises and techniques for developing short-term memory.
- Standard systems for note taking; individual adaptation; techniques for note taking practice.
- Public speaking skills; voice work, audience contact, discourse organisation; techniques for autonomous development of public speaking skills.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Portfolio Continuous assessment 30 N Individual
Practical Continuous assessment of interpreting skills development in class through practical tutorial exercises. 40 N Individual
Viva Voce 30 minutes per student 30 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Chong Han Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2024)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Chong Han Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window