SPI 214

INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Prerequisites: ENG 090 and RED 090, SPI 213
Corequisites: None
This course is designed to improve the quality of Spanish to English and English to Spanish
translation. Emphasis is on the practice of translating English to Spanish in a variety of prose
styles. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate usage and understanding of the
processes involved in translating. Additionally, students will be introduced to sight translation,
the oral interpretation of a written text from one language to another. Course Hours Per Week:
Class, 3. Semester Hours Credit, 3.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
a. Demonstrate the processes and competencies in translating documents usually from
English to Spanish
b. Outline the professional and ethical standards required for professional translators
c. Demonstrate proficiency in the use and application of different translation tools used in
the field (such as dictionaries, software, internet search among others)

OUTLINE OF INSTRUCTION:
1. Introduction of the concept of translation:
A. Definitions of translation
B. What is expected of a good translator: understanding concepts in the original document;
good command of the source and target language; good writing skills; have a sixth
sense; be an ideal reader (know how to read between the lines); know where to find
good reference material; ask questions; know his limitations.
C. Steps prior to the actual translation process: reading of original text; detection of potential
problems in the text to be translated; search of a parallel text in the target language;
compilation of glossary before translating; identification of acronyms, numbers,
measurements, metaphors, etc., to be translated; register to be used in the translation.
2. Translation procedures and techniques:
A. Oblique translation procedures: transposition, modulation, equivalence, adaptation,
amplification, explication, omission, and compensation;
B. Direct translation procedures: calque, borrowing, and literal translation.

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3. Typology of Texts:
A. Legal and administrative documents
B. Scientific documents
C. Technical
D. Literary
E. General
4. Translation of proverbs and idioms
5. Sight translation
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:
The Oxford Spanish Dictionary/ Spanish-English, English-Spanish. Oxford, New York, Madrid:
Oxford University Press, Third Edition, 2003 (or more recent version, including PDA version)
Good English Dictionary
Good Spanish Dictionary
RECOMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:
Arag, Manuel Rafael. Diccionario de dudas y problemas del idioma espaol, Buenos Aires:
Editorial El Ateneo, 1. ed. 1995, 438 Pgs.
Collins Cobuild English Dictionary. London: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., 1995.
Corripio, Fernando. Diccionario de ideas afines, Barcelona: Empresa Editorial Herder, S.A., 6.
ed., 1997, 912 Pgs.
El Pas. Libro de estilo El Pas, Ediciones El Pas, S.A., 12 edicin, 1996, 661 pgs.
Lpez Guix, Juan G. y Wilkinson, Jacqueline Minett. Manual de traduccin/ Ingls- Castellano,
Barcelona: Ed. Gedisa, 1997, 365 pgs.
Merriam Websters Dictionary of Synonyms. Massachusetts: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated,
1984.
Moya, Virgilio. La traduccin de los nombres propios, Madrid: Ediciones Ctedra, 2000, 223
pgs.
Newmark, Peter. Manual de Traduccin, Madrid: Ediciones Ctedra, 1999, trad. por Virgilio
Moya, 364 pgs.
Orellana, Marina. Glosario internacional para el traductor, Chile: Editorial Universitaria, 3. ed.
revis. y aum. 1996, 645 pgs.
Seco, Manuel. Diccionario de dudas y dificultades de la lengua espaola, The Chicago Manual
of Style. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 14th edition, 1993.
Torrents del Prats, Alfonso. Diccionario de dificultades del ingls, Barcelona: Editorial
Juventud, 2da. ed. corr. y aum. 1989, 670 pgs.

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Zaro, J.J. y Truman, M. Manual de traduccin / A Manual of Translation, Madrid: SGEL, 1.

Ed., 1999, 287 pgs.

STATEMENT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Students who require academic accommodations due to any physical, psychological, or learning
disability are encouraged to request assistance from a disability services counselor within the
first two weeks of class. Likewise, students who potentially require emergency medical attention
due to any chronic health condition are encouraged to disclose this information to a disability
services counselor within the first two weeks of class. Counselors can be contacted by calling
536-7207, ext. 1413 or by visiting the Student Development Office in the Phail Wynn Jr. Student
Services Center, room 1309.

SPI-August 2010