Module Catalogues

Translating Chinese Culture

Module Title Translating Chinese Culture
Module Level Level 4
Module Credits 5.00

Aims and Fit of Module

The module provides students with opportunities to understand what Chinese culture is about and be aware of cultural differences between Chinese and English-speaking cultures. It facilitates students’ systematic exposure to translated classics of various genres and helps them identify critically both the merits and demerits in the translation products of Chinese culture concerned. With a focus on the cross-cultural dimensions of translation, the module investigates a variety of complex cultural barriers faced by the translator in terms of differences in the expression of emotions, values, idioms, symbolism, metaphor and aesthetic taste. Students are expected to be able to critically analyse Chinese-culture-specific media texts, and demonstrate their competence in Chinese-English translation of these texts.

Learning outcomes

A	Demonstrate enhanced cultural sensitivity to and awareness of the language used in English and Chinese media texts;
B Acquire a proper understanding of a particular cultural phenomenon and its implications to the text and the whole translation process;
C Identify different possibilities in translating the same texts and adopt appropriate strategies in the translation process;
D Compare the merits and demerits of the translation products and make a critical assessment of translations of Chinese cultural-specific texts in various genres.

Method of teaching and learning

The teaching sessions are divided into two components: lectures and seminars. Lectures are designed to help a better understanding of Chinese culture and theoretical concepts in relation to Chinese culture-specific translation, and develop students’ skills in translating Chinese culture; seminars in the form of individual/group presentation and discussion are designed to discuss their translations and hone their translation skills based on hands-on translation practice.