Brief description

A. In the fortnightly classes devoted to translation out of German, the aims are as follows:

To learn how to translate accurately, i.e. to render the meaning or content of the German text correctly. The information contained in the German text should not be falsified in any way.

To learn how to translate idiomatically, i.e. to express the content of the German text in a form of English that reads, as far as possible, as if the text had been originally produced in Englisg and does notbetray its German origins. One aspect of translating idiomatically is choosing the appropriate register: 'The forms used by a native speaker are influenced by such factors as subject matter, medium and situation. Variation of this kind, which depends on the use to which the language is being put, is commonly known as register variation. A register is a type, or a stylistic level of language (e.g. colloquial, formal) which is influenced by these factors'(M Durrell, Using German, p. 3). For more information about register variation in general, see G W Turner, Stylistics, Chapter 1; P Trudgill, Sociolinguistics, Chapter 5. For more information on register variation in German see M Durrell, Using German, Chapter 1.

B. In the weekly written classes the aims are as follows:

To translate accurately into German passages of continuous English prose. Accuracy refers to content, idiom and register, as described above (A 1 and 2), and to gram,matical usage.

To translate passages taken from modern factual and fictional sources.

NB a) In addition to the assessed written assignments, students will prepare passages for translation and discussion in class. All students will be required to participate actively in such classwork. From time to time, unseen passages will be introduced in class. Work on these passages will normally be undertaken in small groups. Dictionaries should be brought into these classes.

b) Students following this course must possess and bring with them a vocabulary book.

C. To provide essay-writing practice in German and to improve students' analytical and linguistic skills. Students will acquire competence in preparing effectively for an essay; in structuring work; in constructing a logical and convincing argument; and in expressing ideas in an appropriate register of German.

D. In the weekly oral classes students will develop their oral and aural skills. They will consolidate their knowledge of German by practising using vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in the written classes. The acquisition of as native-like a pronunciation as possible is another major aim. General communication skills as well as competence in German will be improved by means of presentations in teh target language

Learning outcomes

- quantify your own improvement in German vocabulary, grammatical knowledge and spoken language since before going abroad
- translate idiomatically into and out of German, using factual or fictional texts
- translate selected unseen passages in class
- prepare passages for translation and discussion in class
- explain and justify your own choice and use of different linguistic registers
- demonstrate active command of stylistic levels of German
- demonstrate competence in preparing effectively for essay-writing: structuring work, constructing logical argument and expressing ideas in the appropriate linguistic register
- apply language skills acquired in German, and during the year abroad, with particular emphasis on achieving as native-like a pronunciation as possible
- express yourself with confidence using a rich and varied vocabulary
- apply orally the complex vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in written classes
- present independently prepared material in spoken or written German
- analyse and discuss complex German texts
- give detailed insight into German cultural and political affairs

Language modules have, as an integral part of their structure, regular homework assignments and class tests as well as end of year examinations. All assessment is designed to measure your progress against learning outcomes at the appropriate level.

Reading Lists