“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 aspects and the present perfect, as part of a topic-based unit on the Great Famine in Ireland. 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 is based on two in-class tests (one mid-semester and compulsory, and one optional for students needing 3 credit points at the end of the semester; both compulsory for students requiring 6 credit points), plus the group translation of the text you selected and an individual commentary.