Translating between International Sign and English

The module exploits the existing knowledge and skills of students and their actual experience as practitioners and professionals with the aim of providing students with knowledge and skills in translation between IS and English.

Additionally, this module introduces students to a range of theories relevant to signed language translation, in order to build on “Interpreting and Translation Studies” (module 2.2). Discussion of translation theories related to spoken and signed language translation will be incorporated into activities focusing on the application of these theories to the practice of translation between English and IS. The premise is to explore the process of translation and interpreting from a functional linguistic perspective. The unit facilitates the identification of linguistic and cultural problems in sign language translation, and examines various perspectives of these problems. Students will be expected to work individually and with peers to produce, analyze and evaluate translations between English and IS.

The module aims to provide students with:

• an enhanced awareness of contrasts in structure between IS and national signed and spoken languages
• an enhanced awareness of the linguistic potential and limitations of IS
• the ability to communicate in IS beyond a basic level, employing appropriate general, structural and communicative features
• the ability to articulate and put into practice strategies in translation for exploiting and responding to the linguistic potentials and limitations of IS
• the ability to undertake basic English-IS and IS-English translation
• the ability to reflect in an informed way upon their own and others’ translation processes and products where IS is involved)

• Europäischer Master in Gebärdendolmetschen