FRENCH TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONJennifer ValckeJennifer.Valcke@ulb.ac.be

JENNIFER VALCKE Over 10 years experience in translation and

proofreading from French into English Scientific and technological fields Science of sleep Literature Films and subtitling

EAP and ESP lecturer at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Action research in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

COURSE OBJECTIVES Improve word-power and text-awareness Appreciation of interlingual distance

How far removed one language is from another Understanding of translation issues and

difficulties Translation of more demanding texts

Sources: La Libre Belgique, Le Soir, Libération, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Monde Diplomatique, etc.

COURSE PROGRAMME 2 hours per week over the semester Wikispace used for course http://isti-ba3-valcke.wikispaces.com/

Tips and tools Texts (collaborative) PPT presentations Information on teaching times

HOW TO REGISTER ON THE WIKI? Provide your teacher with your email address

On the Google doc: Accept the invitation Create a username (use your first name and

family name) Get started!

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WHAT’S DOES THE WIKI LOOK LIKE?

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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (1/5) Team 1 = Wednesday 8-10h class Team 2 = Wednesday 10-12h class

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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (2/5) Select the Project by clicking on your team

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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (3/5) To add your text, click on the edit button

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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (4/5) Use the toolbar to add or edit text, to add

comments/links/files

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HOW TO USE THE WIKI (5/5) Always save your work!

DIDACTICAL ISSUES Developing awareness of language

differences and challenges Developing exam strategies Developing translation strategies

Researching Reading “around” Using tools

ASSESSMENT Project

Details in the next class 2 students work together Long text

Final assessment 2 hours 350-word text

TRANSLATION TIPS AND STRATEGIES Translation tips found on wiki

Translation = PROCESS and SKILL Translation needs to be PRACTISED

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text

Summarize the main ideas mentally Mark passages that appear ambiguous

Read the text through a second time for clues Lexical, grammatical, cultural Linking words

Develop a questioning attitude Look at the problem passage

Does it exemplify, reinforce or contradict the information that preceded?

Develop problem-solving abilities Avoid rushing to the dictionary

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (1/2) Look for

Expressions travailler pour une bouchée de pain to work for pittance

Collocations occuper une fonction to hold a high-ranking position

Words that resemble English words (cognates) compréhensif, sensible understanding, sensitive

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (2/2) Consult the section entitled "Words to be wary

of" in the accompanying notes and exercises (on the wiki)

Be attentive to spelling differences développé vs. developed littérature vs. literature

Refer to vocabulary manuals to compile a list of common expressions and collocations

Look up words in batches Develop your own "retrieval system"

using index cards online tools, such as Head Magnet

(http://headmagnet.com/)

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 3: WRITING THE TRANSLATION Untangle long sentences

Find main clause Find the subject (implicit) Find the verb

Move sentences around If you cannot put all the information in one sentence, write

two Vocabulary

Only use words or expressions that you are familiar with or have checked in a monolingual dictionary

Never invent vocabulary or expressions Use your creative talents to experiment with English-

sounding sentence structures Fragments are often inappropriate forms in formal

English

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 4: REVISING THE TRANSLATION Check your translation for

Accuracy in meaning Logic in your choice of linking words Clarity and conciseness Appropriateness of collocations and French-

sounding vocabulary Word order and grammatical accuracy Spelling and capitalisation Punctuation

Put aside your source text and read your translation out loud for naturalness

TRANSLATION TOOLS IATE Database

ProZ.com

Macmillan dictionary (UK) Merriam-Webster dictionary (US) Translation theory Feel free to add more on the Wiki

PROJECT 1MARIAGE GAY: NON À LA COLUSION DE LA HAINE What do you think this article is about? What do you know of the context? What are the arguments of anti-gay marriage

activists? What are the arguments of pro-gay marriage

activists?

STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text

Summarize the main ideas mentally Mark passages that appear ambiguous

STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Read the text through a second time for

clues Lexical, grammatical, cultural Linking words

STEP 1: APPROACHING THE TEXT Develop a questioning attitude

Look at the problem passage Does it exemplify, reinforce or contradict the

information that preceded? Develop problem-solving abilities Avoid rushing to the dictionary

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (1/2) Look for

Expressions Collocations Words that resemble English words

TRANSLATION STRATEGIESSTEP 2: PREPARING THE TRANSLATION (2/2) Be attentive to spelling differences Look up words in batches

FOR NEXT CLASS… Step 3: writing the translation

Write your suggestions on the wiki Edit or improve others’ contributions Add comments and links

Untangle long sentences Move sentences around Vocabulary

Step 4: revising the translation Check your translation for

Accuracy Logic Clarity and conciseness Collocations and French-sounding vocabulary Word order and grammar Spelling and capitalisation Punctuation

Read your translation out loud for naturalness