German language in practice and introduction to German to French translation

Introduction to German to French translation

Translation of general interest texts with different levels of language, different registers and a variety of domains. Approach to the cultural references encountered in the texts. Initiation in the procedures and problems of translation.

This course aims to familiarise students with the various aspects of the translation process and to help them develop an initial critical eye for their own work and that of their peers.

German language in practice

- Reading numerous texts in "simple" German (syllabus available at the
beginning of the year) until the end of the first quadrimester. As from January, the texts will be
taken from the German press (see below).
- Listening exercises, conversation, reading comprehensions and writing texts.
- Numerous pieces of homework to prepare texts, search for vocabulary, practical
reading comprehension exercises, etc.
- Listening comprehension exercises based on authentic audio recordings.
- As from January:

• Practical reading comprehension exercises based on general interest press articles
  from the magazines "Focus" / "Der Spiegel" or similar from the German press (summary,
  text questions), with lexical and cultural exploitation
• exercises to define words, search for synonyms, antonyms,
  paraphrasing paragraphs based on the articles studied
• Initiation in the German culture through the texts studied (history, politics, economics,
  socio-cultural panorama, news, etc.)
• Analysis of a film closely associated with the German culture
• Listening comprehension based on authentic recordings

Introduction to German to French translation

By the end of the course, students will be able to translate short texts

- in idiomatic French
- without serious logical errors (no nonsense)
- essentially free of spelling mistakes

To do this, students will be able to :

- identify the style specific to the genre of the source text and respect it in the target text.
- find specific vocabulary in the target language in the documentation provided.
- reformulate in the target language those passages of the source text that which require it.
- apply the various suggestions made in class concerning the specific difficulties of translating from German into French.

German language in practice

- To consolidate the knowledge of grammar and syntax, and to extend the students' knowledge of vocabulary.
- Putting what has been learnt into practice, improving understanding and verbal expression.

At the end of year, students will be capable of:

-summarising and commenting on general interest texts from the German press, from the magazines "Focus" / "Der Spiegel" or similar members of the German press

- defining certain words from the text, finding an explanation for them and paraphrasing paragraphs

- understanding authentic audio recordings (summary of the main information)

- easily handling the vocabulary from all the texts seen in class or at home in the form of homework

Introduction to German to French translation

Good functional knowledge of German. Very good command of the target language.

German language in practice

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Introduction to German to French translation

Translations and exercises in class.

Possible preparatory documentary research as homework.

German language in practice

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Introduction to German to French translation

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

One hour of class per week in the first and second terms. Compulsory classes.

German language in practice

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Students will be required to do the exercises by themselves first (text preparation, reading comprehensions, vocabulary searches at home).
Then they will compare their work and their difficulties with one or more of their co-students.
Led by the lecturer, the group will then provide commentaries on the texts / audio material.
The general interest press articles will be read and the various exercises based on these articles done in class.

Introduction to German to French translation

Recommanded media:

- A French-French dictionary (book or online: Robert, CNRTL, Larousse...)

- La conjugaison pour tous, by Bescherelle (Hatier ed.)

 

German language in practice

Material: Students will acquire the syllabus, which will be available at the beginning of the year. Students will bring their prepared texts, homework and exercises to each lesson. During the group correction session, students will note down the remarks, corrections and suggestions made by the group and the lecturer. These group-corrected exercises constitute the material for the classes.

Bibliography: Recommended dictionaries: same as those from the grammar class

Introduction to German to French translation

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Additional information:

 - 20% of the grade: written exam in January
 - 80% of the grade: written exam at the end of the academic year

This teaching unit ("Unité d'enseignement," or UE) is subject to the principle of the "note absorbante," which means that the student having obtained a mark below 8/20 for one of the learning activities ("activités d'apprentissage," or AA) will receive a failing grade for the entire unit and will have to retake the failed AA in the second session regardless of the mathematical average of the two AA grades.

Details:

In January, as in May-June, the exam consists of the translation of seen text sequences (2/3 of the mark) and a short unseen text (1/3 of the mark).

German language in practice

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam AND oral exam


Additional information:

Continuous assessment of the preparation of exercises and active participation in class. Any individual preparation will be the subject of a group correction in class, which will allow students to situate themselves in relation to the objectives to be achieved.

January: - Summary of an unseen text and/or exercises similar to those done in class based on the subject studied in class (and at home) during the first semester.

The mark of the midterm exam in January will count for 10% of the June final grade if > or = 10/20 (the mark will have no effect on the final grade if it doesn't reach 10/20). Please note that the final exam for this course is cumulative.

June assessment Oral and written exam: the two exams count for half of the points. Written exam - Summary of an unseen text, word definitions and paraphrasing and/or - exercises similar to those done in class based on the subject covered in class (and at home) during the year and/or - A listening comprehension exercise similar to those done in class. Oral exam Students will also read a novel.

Aim of reading the book for the year: Students must be able to grasp the overall meaning of the text, determine the key elements of the content as well as linking it to these various elements. For the oral exam, students must be able to give a brief oral description of the book. They must also be able to express an opinion using clear and grammatically correct language. They must also be able to answer simple questions concerning what they have read.

This course is part of a teaching unit ("Unité d'enseignement," or UE) is subject to the principle of the "note absorbante," which means that the student having obtained a mark below 8/20 for one of the learning activities ("activités d'apprentissage," or AA) will receive a failing grade for the entire unit and will have to retake the failed AA in the second session regardless of the mathematical average of the two AA grades

German language in practice

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Introduction to German to French translation

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German language in practice

Course language:
German

Introduction to German to French translation

B.Klinkenberg@uliege.be 

German language in practice

Melanie Cüpper mcupper@ulg.ac.be