Welcome to Lincoln High School s brand new Translation and Interpretation class, the first in our school and District!

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1 TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION COURSE SYLLABUS TEACHER: ILEANA STRAUS Abraham Lincoln High School Contact information: Room 17, Phone: , ext COURSE DESCRIPTION - DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CURSO istraus@sjusd.org Sra.Straus@gmail.com Welcome to Lincoln High School s brand new Translation and Interpretation class, the first in our school and District! Bienvenidos al nuevo curso de Traducción e Interpretación, el primero en nuestra preparatoria y en el Districto! This exciting new course is designed to be an introduction to the theory and practice of Translation and Interpretation, both from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish. Students will learn the fundamentals of translation in a variety of fields: legal, medical, literary, business, commercial, media, and in other domains. The course includes translation and interpretation techniques, supervised practice, as well as a practical job internship component meant to give you a head start in finding a translating job in the near future. As you might guess, this class will be conducted in both Spanish and English, and the instructional materials and activities are bilingual as well. The prerequisites therefore are a strong command of spoken and written Spanish and English, as well as a solid knowledge of Spanish and English grammar. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Students will develop critical reading and thinking skills in both Spanish and English, and will expand their vocabulary in both languages; 2. Students will learn research techniques, use technology, and practice accurate writing in both Spanish and English for the Translation and Interpretation profession. 3. Students will translate advanced texts from English into Spanish and vice versa, while accurately conveying meaning, both at a denotative and at a connotative level. 4. Students will translate specialized texts from English into Spanish and Spanish into English in the legal, literary, commercial, scientific, medical and technical fields. 5. By the end of the first semester, students will prepare and compare translations of a variety of domains, and be able to identify the merits and flaws of each translation. 6. Finally, students will be able to complete a meaningful Community Service Translating Project. ACTIVITIES AND SKILLS: In this class you will acquire the following skills through a variety of classroom techniques and practical activities: 1

2 Practical knowledge of the basic modes of translation and interpretation: sight, consecutive, and simultaneous. A general understanding of the abilities, knowledge, and role of the interpreter and translator in the 21-st century legal, literary, commercial, scientific, medical and technical fields. An ability to render sight translations of a variety of texts from Spanish into English and viceversa. An understanding of the career resources and options available to interpreters and translators; An understanding of the ethics of the profession of translating and interpreting. Basic knowledge of concepts and terminology used in the United States legal system, the jury process, the medical, business, education fields, as well as techniques for researching and translating a wide variety of professional documents. Students will create a portfolio of sample translations, and complete a Community Service Translation Project. This project is meant to be the first step of the job internship component for the second semester (see below for more details). TEXTS & INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Required Textbook: En otras palabras, perfeccionamiento del español por medio de la traducción, by Patricia Lunn, Segunda edición, 2013, Georgetown University Press. Supplemental materials will be provided by the teacher. Prepare a 3-RING BINDER FOR HANDOUTS! Technology will be used as available; Field trips and Guest Speakers: There will be a field trip to the Monterey Language Institute (date TBA). This field trip is obligatory, and you will prepare questions to ask during the visit. We will plan other field trips in the community, as well as guest translators visits. COMMUNITY SERVICE TRANSLATION PROJECT Each student will work on a practical hands-on translation project throughout the semester. This will be a community service translation project. There are many community partners that are in constant need of translators. Each student is responsible for finding a community partner, and for submitting to me a list of the documents that need to be translated. In addition, you will register your project and service hours with the Career Center (more details to come). Each student will have a set partner and must find a project by the end of September. The goal is to finish the project in December, and be able to consult with me during the rest of the semester. The minimum number of hours to spend on the translation project is 15 hours, spread out throughout the semester. A copy of all the translations as well as the original texts must be provided to me. Late projects will be docked one full letter grade for each day late. There are several important forms that you will have to fill out and sign as part of this community-service translation project. 2

3 Keep all your translations and original texts, forms, and other documents in the Translation & Interpretation Portfolio, which will be turned in at the end of the semester for a final grade. The portfolio will be your final assessment. EXPECTATIONS AND RULES FOR SUCCESS: 1. Daily participation in class activities is vital in this class, and has a substantial impact on your grade. 2. Organize your T&I binder in 3 sections: a. Weekly calendar & HW assignments; b. Handouts; Lectures; Class activities; c. Glossaries; Resources; Portfolio items 3. Bring your book, binder, writing instruments, and a positive attitude to class daily; 4. Reserve 30 minutes/ night for homework. 5. Check assignment calendar, and turn in work on time. 6. If absent, you must contact me by in order to keep up with the work. 7. Meet deadlines, and be responsible for make-ups. 8. Attend every class and be punctual. Poor attendance as well as tardiness will impact your grade. WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS: 1. Textbook Must be covered! 2. Pen, pencil, red & colored pens, highlighters 3. Binder with 3 sections: a. Weekly assignment calendar & Homework; b. Handouts; Lectures; Class activities; c. Glossaries; Resources; Portfolio items RULES OF APPROPRIATE CLASS BEHAVIOR HOMEWORK 1) Be in class before the bell rings, prepared with all required materials 2) Put away your phone and headphones when you enter the class. Text messaging or use of phones is absolutely prohibited in class. 3) Practice positive interdependence and accountability: you have a group goal (not just an individual goal) and we need to rely on one another; 4) Offer only constructive criticism and positive feedback to others work 5) Raise your hand to ask questions or give answers; 6) Everyone participates: One for all and all for one. 7) Listen respectfully to what other group members have to say. 8) It is never acceptable to make fun of a student s rendition/work/comment 9) Be respectful, cooperative, and courteous to everyone 10) Bathroom passes are issued only in emergencies. One pass/week is the maximum. You will get a detailed weekly calendar of assignments to complete. Homework should be turned in at the beginning of class, unless specified by me. When homework is revised as part of the class, you must use a different ink color for corrections made during class. Late homework will NOT be accepted. MAKE-UP POLICY 3

4 a. If absent, you are required to contact me by , and check your daily in order to keep up with the work. Ignoring this policy won t be accepted as an excuse. I check my several times a day, and will answer as soon as possible. b. It is your responsibility to make up missed assignments/tests within 5 days from the date of absence. c. Group assignments affect other students grades, so plan accordingly. d. Make-ups are during advisory, or by appointment. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION You are expected to actively read the material specified on the weekly assignment calendar, to do the assignments, and be prepared for class activities. This component of the class is important not only because it is worth a considerable percentage towards the final grade, but also because the exams and other translation assignments of this course will profit greatly from class preparation and participation. Given this, regular attendance is obligatory. ACADEMIC HONESTY You are expected to adhere strictly to the SJUSD academic honesty Code (see SJUSD handbook). Academic dishonesty includes, but it is not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. It will not be tolerated in this class. The penalty for academic dishonesty is 0 for the assignment. FINAL GRADE BREAKDOWN Attendance & Participation % Homework % Translation Projects % Quizzes, Exams % Semester Final: Community Service Translation Project & Portfolio % Total 100% A B C D A B C D A B C D

5 SIGNATURES & CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE Parent /Guardian Name Printed Signature: Work Phone# Cell Phone STUDENT S SIGNATURE & CONTACT INFORMATION I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION CLASS STUDENT S NAME PRINTED PERIOD: SUDENT S SIGNATURE: 5