“Practical translation” aims to heighten your awareness of the differences between German and English, and to enable you to circumnavigate common translation problems. We will begin by looking at common problems such as translating complex noun phrases, relative clauses, false friends, progressive / simple / perfective aspects as part of a topic-based unit on Government and Politics in the UK and USA. You will then be given the opportunity, in small groups, to select your own text to translate; fictional, political, scientific research, an abstract, a film review, marketing, tourism, which you will present in class for peer review. Practical translation thus focusses on fine-tuning your accuracy and use of idiomatic English as well as equipping you with the tools to edit and translate a variety of genres of text.

The assessment consists of a mid-term test (ca. 150 words), a group translation, which should be edited and resubmitted after peer and lecturer feedback (500-600 words), and a commentary on your group translation (500-600 words). All coursework should be submitted by the end of July.