1

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

1st (85-100) Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

Overall, the ST has been well understood.

Nuances of meaning and register are

effectively captured.

There is a clear awareness of the cultural

context at a level comparable to that

expected at level 5.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Overall, the ST has been well understood.

Nuances of meaning and register are

effectively captured.

There is a sophisticated awareness of the

cultural context at a level comparable to

that expected at level 6.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Overall, the ST has been fully understood.

Nuances of meaning and register are

precisely and sensitively captured.

There is a sophisticated awareness of the

cultural context at a level comparable to

that expected at level M.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Use of English

Translation reads like idiomatic English.

Translation shows a sophisticated

command of English lexis, syntax, and

register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

Translation reads like idiomatic English,

may be of near professional and

publishable quality.

Translation shows a sophisticated

command of English lexis, syntax, and

register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

Translation reads like idiomatic English,

may be of professional and publishable

quality.

Translation shows a sophisticated

command of English lexis, syntax, and

register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

2

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

1st (70-84) Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

Overall, the ST has been well understood.

Most nuances of meaning and register

are effectively captured.

There is awareness of the cultural

context.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Overall, the ST has been well understood.

Nuances of meaning and register are

mainly well captured.

There is a clear awareness of the cultural

context.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Overall, the ST has been well understood.

Nuances of meaning and register are

mainly well captured.

There is a clear awareness of the cultural

context.

Almost all lexical and syntactic elements

have been understood.

Use of English

Translation reads like idiomatic English.

Translation shows a sound command of

English lexis, syntax, and register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

Translation reads like idiomatic English.

Translation shows a sound command of

English lexis, syntax, and register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

Translation reads like idiomatic English.

Translation shows a sound command of

English lexis, syntax, and register.

Any errors in spelling and punctuation are

minor.

3

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

2:1 (60-69) Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

The ST has mostly been well understood. There is some awareness of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. On balance, more difficulties lie with lexis rather than syntax.

The ST has been mostly well understood. There is some sensitivity to nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. On balance, more difficulties lie with lexis rather than syntax.

The ST has been mostly well understood. There is a fair degree of sensitivity to nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. On balance, any difficulties lie with lexis rather than syntax.

Use of English

Translation generally reads well. There may be isolated instances of interference from the SL. There is a general ability to find appropriate English expressions and structures. Competent punctuation; minor spelling errors.

Translation generally reads well. There may be isolated instances of interference from the foreign language. There is a general ability to find appropriate English expressions and structures. Competent punctuation; minor spelling errors.

Translation generally reads well. There may be isolated instances of interference from the foreign language. There is a general ability to find appropriate English expressions and structures. Competent punctuation; minor spelling errors.

4

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

2:2 (50-59) Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

Most of the ST has been adequately understood in general, with exceptions. There is limited attention to nuances of meaning, register and cultural context. Weaker sections include some difficulties in following syntax in addition to lexical errors.

Most of the ST has been adequately understood in general, with exceptions. There is limited attention to nuances of meaning, register and cultural context.

Weaker sections include some difficulties

in following syntax in addition to lexical

errors.

The ST has been adequately understood in general, with isolated exceptions. There is a lack of sustained attention to nuances of meaning, register and cultural context. Weaker sections include some difficulties

in following syntax in addition to lexical

errors.

Use of English

The English is adequate though not particularly idiomatic with some SL interference (the text may feel as though it has been translated from a foreign language). English lexis, syntax, and register are not always appropriate. Punctuation is not always accurate; there

are a number of spelling errors.

The English is adequate though not particularly idiomatic with some foreign language interference (the text feels as though it has been translated from a foreign language). English lexis, syntax, and register are not always appropriate. Punctuation is not always accurate; there are a number of spelling errors.

The English is adequate though not particularly idiomatic with some foreign language interference (the text feels as though it has been translated from a foreign language). English lexis, syntax, and register are not always appropriate. Punctuation is not always accurate; a number of spelling errors.

5

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

3rd (40-49) Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

A fair to substantial portion of the ST has not been understood. There may be a number of omitted words/sections. There is scant attention to nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. There is evidence of clear difficulties in following syntax; grammatical categories are regularly misconstrued.

A fair to substantial portion of the ST has not been understood. A number of omitted words/sections. There is scant attention to nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. There is evidence of clear difficulties in following syntax; grammatical categories are regularly misconstrued.

A fair to substantial portion of the ST has not been understood. A number of omitted words/sections. There is scant attention to nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. There is evidence of clear difficulties in following syntax; grammatical categories are regularly misconstrued.

Use of English

The English is unidiomatic, with noticeable to extensive interference from the SL. There are serious to severe shortcomings in the use of appropriate lexis, syntax, and register. Spelling errors are frequent; there is a

lack of familiarity with English

punctuation.

The English ranges from generally non-idiomatic to awkward, with noticeable to extensive foreign language interference. There are serious to severe shortcomings in the use of appropriate lexis, syntax, and register. Spelling errors are frequent; there is a lack of familiarity with English punctuation.

The English ranges from generally non-idiomatic to awkward, with noticeable to extensive foreign language interference. There are serious to severe shortcomings in the use of appropriate lexis, syntax, and register. Spelling errors are frequent; a lack of

familiarity with English punctuation.

6

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

Marginal Fail (35-39)

Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

At least half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no appreciable understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

At least half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no appreciable understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

At least half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no appreciable understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

Use of English

The English is very unidiomatic, and SL interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is put at risk by the

predominance of spelling and

punctuation errors.

The English is very unidiomatic, and foreign language interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is put at risk by the predominance of spelling and punctuation errors.

The English is very unidiomatic, and foreign language interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is put at risk by the predominance of spelling and punctuation errors.

7

SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES - MARKING CRITERIA - TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH

Outright Fail (0-34)

Level 4 (Y1) Level 5 (Y2) Level 6 (Y4)

Transfer of Meaning

More than half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

More than half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

More than half of the ST has not been understood. Large and/or frequent gaps are left. Translation may be incomplete. There is no understanding of nuances of meaning, register, and cultural context. Knowledge of lexis and grammar is inadequate.

Use of English

The English is very unidiomatic, SL interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is undermined by the predominance of spelling and punctuation errors.

The English is very unidiomatic, and foreign language interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is undermined by the predominance of spelling and punctuation errors.

The English is very unidiomatic, and foreign language interference dominates. A native English speaker has difficulty following the text. Use of English lexis, syntax, and grammar is inadequate. Communication is undermined by the predominance of spelling and punctuation errors.