Translation Theory and Practice Spring 2026
Translation Theory and Practice 翻译理论与实践 (Spring Semester 2026)
Course Code: 09231022.01 | Credits: 3 | Level: BA22 (German Major, Class of 2022)
Instructor: Prof. Martin Woesler
Schedule: Wednesday + Thursday, Tenglong Building
- Wednesday: Room 604
- Thursday: Room 403
Course Website: Click here for the interactive course page (homework upload, quizzes)
Course Description
This course covers the theoretical foundations and practical applications of translation between Chinese, German, and English. Students will study translation theories, analyze translated texts, and produce their own translations of literary, academic, and professional texts.
Session Schedule
Session 1 - Wed Mar 04 / Thu Mar 05 2026 - Organizational Issues
- Course overview and introduction
- Translation studies: what is translation?
- Homework: Read Chapter 1
Session 2 - Wed Mar 11 / Thu Mar 12 2026
- Translation theories overview
- Equivalence and faithfulness
Session 3 - Wed Mar 18 / Thu Mar 19 2026
- Literal vs. free translation
- Practice: short text translation
Session 4 - Wed Mar 25 / Thu Mar 26 2026
- Cultural aspects of translation
- Culture-specific concepts
Session 5 - Wed Apr 01 / Thu Apr 02 2026
- Literary translation
- Translating poetry and prose
Session 6 - Wed Apr 08 / Thu Apr 09 2026
- Technical and academic translation
- Specialized terminology
Session 7 - Wed Apr 15 / Thu Apr 16 2026
- Translation and interpretation
- Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting
Session 8 - Wed Apr 22 / Thu Apr 23 2026
- Mid-term review
- Translation workshop
Session 9 - Wed Apr 29 / Thu Apr 30 2026
- Machine translation and CAT tools
- Post-editing
Session 10 - Wed May 06 / Thu May 07 2026
- Translation criticism
- Evaluating translations
Session 11 - Wed May 13 / Thu May 14 2026
- Chinese-German translation specifics
- Grammatical and syntactic challenges
Session 12 - Wed May 20 / Thu May 21 2026
- German-Chinese translation specifics
- Idiomatic expressions
Session 13 - Wed May 27 / Thu May 28 2026
- Translation project workshop
- Peer review
Session 14 - Wed Jun 03 / Thu Jun 04 2026
- Advanced literary translation
- Translating classical Chinese
Session 15 - Wed Jun 10 / Thu Jun 11 2026
- Student presentations
- Translation portfolio review
Session 16 - Wed Jun 17 / Thu Jun 18 2026
- Final exam / Final project submission
- Course evaluation
Enrolled Students (BA22 German Major)
Guo Xinrui 郭欣瑞, Ma Zejing 马泽靖, Yu Duanhua 于端华, Tan Minqi 谭敏琪, Long Biao 龙彪, Wu Tongtong 吴彤彤, Xie Yangxiao 谢仰晓, Li Fuxin 李福鑫, He Meng 何梦, Kuang Hongbo 旷洪波, Lan Qier 蓝漆尔, Wang Qingqin 王清勤, Zhao Xinyi 赵欣怡, Peng Le 彭乐, Chen Hong 陈宏, Sun Xizhuo 孙希卓, Wan Yuxuan 万雨轩, Xie Wenxia 谢文霞, Wu Yifan 吴逸凡, Sun Lanxiang 孙兰翔, Wei Yi 魏屹, Yu Lu 于露, Wan Sichang 万思畅
Assessment
- 40% - Translation assignments (submitted via course website)
- 30% - Class participation and presentations
- 30% - Final translation project
Textbook
- Translation Theory and Practice (翻译理论与实践) - Course materials provided by instructor