Course Catalogue

German Advanced Translation and Language Study 2 GERMAN5005

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Modern Languages and Cultures
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

Contributing chiefly to the SMLC Translation Studies programme and building on the practical application of theory gained in ATLS 1, this course offers training in advanced translation practice from German to English across a wider range of text types and genres. These include technical (legal, medical, manuals) and marketing and literary texts (advertising, prose, poetry, theatre).

Timetable

10 x 2 hours of seminars.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

Candidates for the course should normally have a good Honours degree (2.1 or better) or equivalent in German or be able to demonstrate competence in German equivalent to European Common Framework C1.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

Time-limited translation exercise of 600 words (50%)

Portfolio of work comprised as follows:

■ 2 translations of 500-700 words each, chosen from 7 submitted throughout the semester (all unrevised following class discussions). (10% each)

■ Revised translation of 500-700 words (also chosen from the 7). (10%)

■ 1,500-word translation commentary to accompany the revised piece (20%).

Course Aims

Building on the material covered in Advanced Translation and Language Study (ATLS) 1, this course aims to:

■ provide students with advanced training in translating independently from German into Englsih.

■ examine and situate a range of registers and varieties of German expanding on the range covered in ATLS 1;

■ critically review and apply a variety of translation methodologies to specialised texts, and use translation theory to reflect on translation practice;

■ support students' independent use of language-area specific and specialised reference and support materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ analyse a range of registers, sociolects, specialist discourses and other varieties of German;

■ render these in English to a professional standard, considering the stylistic and linguistic differences between the languages;

■ apply translation strategies and concepts in stylistics relevant to English and German in contextually and culturally appropriate ways;

■ critically assess and employ specialised reference tools, IT tools and other resources to a professional standard;

■ reflect critically upon their own practice to an academically rigorous standard.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions