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ML-180
Introduction to Studying Languages for Business Students
This module is an introduction to language learning for business students enrolled onto the languages¿ pathway. The students will take part in taster sessions for each language offered at beginner¿s level and will gain insight into business related matters of countries in which the languages are spoken. In addition, the students will receive training in language learning techniques, terminology, and intercultural awareness.
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MLT100
Concepts in Translation and Interpreting
This module, compulsory for students of the BAs in Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting, and English-Chinese Translation and Interpreting, introduces concepts central to the academic study and the professional practice of translation and interpreting. It is designed to initiate the transition from simple language-learner to well-informed language services provider which students will undergo in the course of their degree, and to act as a foundation for subsequent modules. Topics covered include: size, structure and composition of the worldwide language services market, types of translation and interpreting and their various contexts, relevant international legislation and standards, professional organisations, business interaction of suppliers with clients, fundamentals of linguistic analysis, domain research methods, and quality assurance. Assessment will be by individual Case Study (50%) and written examination (50%).
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MLT207
Dialogue Interpreting
This module, which builds on the introduction to Interpreting provided in Year 1 by MLT100 Concepts in Translation and Interpreting, will develop practical strategies and techniques for performing Dialogue Interpreting between parties who do not speak each other's language, as well as oral translation of relevant documents at sight. There will typically be a mixture of short lectures on relevant aspects of Interpreting Theory (especially professional ethics), live bilingual and multilingual scenarios, and language laboratory practical sessions in preparation for assessment. The assessment will be two Sight Translations, one in each direction (40%) and one Dialogue Practical Class Test (both directions) in the Lab (60%). A wide range of materials will be available on Blackboard to practice sight translation and interpreting in your own time.
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MLT301B
Translation Project (Sem 2)
Professional translation involves much more than replacing expressions in one language by expression in another one. In this module, you will put into practice everything you have learned about the translation process in the course of your studies. Together with your supervisor you will agree on a text to be translated and you will be given a translation brief specifying the practical context of the translation. Depending on the subject, you might want to use computer tools and/or do some terminological research as part of your translation work. The assessment does not only consist of the translation you produce, but also takes into account your commentary. The commentary will describe the problems you encountered in the translation and your approach to these problems.
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MLT320
Interpreting - Business Option
This module will develop strategies and techniques to perform sight translation and dialogue (or bilateral consecutive) interpreting in the context of Business, covering a selection of business related topics, including global economic and business outlook, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, sustainable growth, investment promotion, product promotion, staff investment, and brand building.
In terms of professional recognition, this module will prepare students for the Diploma in English for Business (EFB) examined by LCCI International Diploma Qualifications and the Cambridge English: Business Certificates [or Business English Certificantes (BEC)] examined by Cambridge English Language Assessment. Members of Swansea Business Club, Swansea & Cardiff Institute of Directors and Swansea Chamber of Commerce have offered to support this initiative by providing speakers and allowing visits to business premises.
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MLTM25
Conference Interpreting
This module will help students develop strategies and techniques to perform Consecutive Conference Interpreting as well as Simultaneous Conference Interpreting. It involves the advanced development of multilingual skills, as
well as interpersonal/intercultural communication skills (active listening, memory retention, time lag, anticipation, reformulation, delivery). Students will typically be exposed to authentic talks, lectures, conference papers, debates and
speeches delivered by United Nations delegates, European Parliamentarians, TED.com Presenters, the UK's Political Speech Archive, BBC World Debate programmes, YouTube The Why Channel, and other countries'
politicians, lecturers and experts in various fields. The contexts are Current Affairs and topics of political, sociocultural, economic, scientific, technological and environmental impact in both cultures and their corresponding terminologies. Students will also be encouraged to research and read parallel texts for confidence building and knowledge expansion. Training will take place in a fully-equipped Interpreting Suite (delegate units and booths).
The assessment will take the form of two recorded oral examinations, as follows: one from Language A to Language B (50%) and the other from Language B to Language A (50%). A wide range of material will be
available on Blackboard for in-class and extra practice. The textbook for the module is Conference Interpreting - A Student¿s Practice Book, by Andrew Gillies (2013 edition). Students will be encouraged to attend lectures and symposia to widen their knowledge and practise their skills. Successful candidates will be well prepared to apply for placement opportunities at the European Commission Directorate-General for Interpretation and/or The Internship Programme at the United Nations Offices either in Geneva or in New York.Students are expected to do extensive guided private study, which should include exercises, e.g. mental agility exercises, bi-directional clozing, numerical contextualization and simplification tasks, reformulation and improvisation exercises, as well as tasks for mnemonic activation (to activate and automatize linguistic reflexes through the use of synonyms, antonyms, definitions, paraphrasing, hypernyms etc.).
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MLZ202
English-Chinese Translation Workshop 2 (Business and Administration)
This module aims to improve your skills in translation from English to Mandarin Chinese. The practical workshops focus on translation of business, administration and law-related practice texts. Practice assignments will grow progressively longer to reflect real-world conditions and students will on occasion be expected to work together, critiquing and editing each other's work to produce a collaborative final version. Techniques for discovering domain-specific knowledge and translating technical terminology will be explored and developed. You will develop awareness of different types of translation and different techniques required of translators and strategies employed by them. Post-editing machine translation outputs will also be discussed in class.
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MLZ280
Beginners' Mandarin for Business Students I
The module is designed for students who have no previous knowledge of the Mandarin language. It aims to enable the learners to build up their knowledge of writing and pronouncing Chinese characters, use basic words and expressions in daily communication, and grasp fundamental grammatical structures. The classes are dedicated to developing your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills which you need to communicate in Mandarin naturally through pair work, group work and a variety of independent and integrated activities. All the sessions are based on topic-driven content in real-life contexts, and are organized around the lives and travel experiences of people in China. Classes are partly conducted in Mandarin. In addition to class works, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
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MLZ281
Beginners' Mandarin for Business Students II
This module follows on from Beginners' Mandarin for Business Students 1. The module is specially designed for students who have basic knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language. It aims to enable you to widen your vocabulary and to grasp fundamental grammatical structures, enabling you to communicate in both written and spoken Mandarin. The classes are dedicated to further your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Classes are conducted partly in Mandarin. All the sessions are based on topic-driven content in real-life contexts, and are organized around the lives and travel experiences of people in China. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
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MLZ380
Intermediate Mandarin for Business Students I
This module is the foundation of the intermediate level study of Mandarin which will equip students who have previously taken Beginners' Mandarin for Business Students I and II. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken Mandarin, establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students¿ vocabulary to read, write, interpret and speak about issues related to contemporary Chinese speaking society and culture appropriate to HSK level II+/III (equals to A2+/B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). The module also aims to enhance students¿ employability by providing a grounding in the vocabulary and use of Mandarin in contexts relating to the world of work. Classes are conducted mainly in Mandarin. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
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MLZ381
Intermediate Mandarin for Business Students II
This module consolidates and extends the language skills developed from Intermediate Mandarin for Business Students I. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken Chinese, establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending your vocabulary to read, write and speak about issues related to contemporary Chinese speaking society and culture. Topics are extended to business scenarios which will enrich your vocabulary and further the use of Chinese in business context. Classes will be conducted mainly in Chinese. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
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MLZM01
Advanced Translation (Chinese)
In 16 1.5 hour small-group seminars running through Semester 1 and into Semester 2, students will translate, discuss and annotate both non-technical and technical texts. Practice assignments will grow progressively longer to reflect real world conditions and students will on occasion be expected to work together, critiquing and editing each other's work to produce a collaborative finished version. Techniques for discovering domain-specific knowledge and translating technical terminology will be explored and developed. Assessment will be by three test translations in different domains done through the year under exam conditions (2 hours with dictionaries and/or electronic resources), each counting for 25% of the marks of the module, plus one Terminology Project or Wikipedia Project counting for the final 25%.