Course: Interpreting Theory and Methods

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Course title Interpreting Theory and Methods
Course code KRS/TMT
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Klabal Ondřej, Mgr. et Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
The course deals with fundamentals of interpreting studies as well as procedures employed in interpreting: The topics covered include: - Definition any typology of interpreting, translation and interpreting compares - History of interpreting as a profession - Note-taking in interpreting: theory and practice - Memory and its role in interpreting - The process of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting - Interpreting strategies - Anticipation and probabilistic prognosing - Models of interpreting (efforts model and theory of sense) - Ethics in interpreting - Diplomatic protocol and etiquette applied to interpreting - Intercultural differences and their role in interpreting - Errors and correction strategies - Figurative language and quotations in interpreting

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Activating (Simulations, Games, Dramatization)
  • Attendace - 25 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 12.5 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 62.5 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course will introduce the students to the fundamentals of interpreting studies. The topics covered include typology of interpreting, interpreting strategies (in particular anticipation and note-taking), the stages of the interpreting process and ethics applied to interpreting. The course further introduces the students to the major interpreting models, namely the efforts models by Daniel Gile and the theory of sense by Danica Seleskovitch. The theory is then applied in practice. The course also deals with procedures for responding to an error made by the interpreter or the speaker, for coping with figurative language, quotations etc. The course is a prerequisite for interpreting seminars.
The students will learn the basics of the theory behind consecutive and simultaneous interpreting as well as the procedures used in these interpreting modes. The students will also be able to apply the theory in interpreting practice. Moreover, students will learn to appreciate how theory and methodology may be useful for practice.
Prerequisites
Active knowledge of Czech is required.

Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam

1. Regular attendance and active participation in classes (a maximum of 2 missed classes) 2. Reading the assigned texts for each class and class preparation 3. Final oral exam
Recommended literature
  • Baigori Jalón, Jesús. (2000). La interpretación de conferencias: el nacimiento de una profesión, de París a Nuremberg. Granada.
  • Bosch March, Clara. (2013). Técnicas de interpretación consecutiva: la toma de notas. Granada.
  • Čeňková, Ivana. (2008). Úvod do teorie tlumočení. Praha.
  • Gile, Daniel. (2009). Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training. Amsterdam/Philadelphia.
  • Gillies, Andrew. (2013). Conference Interpreting - a student´s practice book. London.
  • Gillies, Andrew. (2005). Note-taking in consecutive interpreting. Manchester.
  • Gracia, Torres & Días. María. (2016). La interpretacio?n consecutiva y simulta?nea. Málaga.
  • Herbert, J. (1952). The Interpreter?s Handbook. Gen?ve.
  • Hrdinová, Eva Maria & Vilímek, Vítězslav. (2008). Úvod do teorie, praxe a didaktiky tlumočení: mezi Skyllou vědy a Charybdou praxe?!. Ostrava.
  • Iliescu Gheorghiu, Catalina. (2001). Introducción a la interpretación: La modalidad consecutiva. Alicante.
  • Jones, Roderick. (2002). Conference interpreting explained.
  • Müglová, Daniela. (2013). Komunikace, tlumočení, překlad aneb Proč spadla babylonská věž?.
  • Stahl, Jaroslav. (2013). Čo sa odohrává v hlave tlmočníka? Simultánne tlumočenie. Teoretické otázky a praktické odpovede. Bratislava.
  • Vanhecke, Katrin. (2011). Enseňanza y aprendizaje en la interpretacion consecutiva. Granada.
  • Vertanová, Silvia; Andoková, Marcela; Štubňa, Pavol; Moyšová, Stanislava. (2020). Tlmočník ako rečník. Bratislava.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): French for translation and interpreting (2021) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Spanish philology with specialization in translation and interpreting (2020) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): French for translation and interpreting (2020) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Spanish philology with specialization in translation and interpreting (2021) Category: Philological sciences 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter