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The module develops advanced proficiency in writing, speaking and comprehending French. It concentrates on translation into French and English and the development of analytical skills in the production of written and spoken French. Translation exercises confront students with a variety of advanced texts in different styles and registers, and encourage accuracy and critical reflection as well as acquisition and consolidation of grammatical structures. The language skills component combines discursive writing on advanced topics with the development of proper oral competence through discussion. Conversation classes with a native speaker develop presentational ability, and enable students to speak fluently and idiomatically at the advanced level.
Total Contact Hours: 60
Private Study Hours: 240
Total Study Hours: 300
Main assessment methods:
Online Translation In-Course Test (80 minutes) – 20%
Audio-visual Comprehension Assignment (Equivalent to 1,000 words) – 10%
Essay (700 words) – 10%
English to French Translation Assignment (500 Words) – 10%
French to English Translation Assignment (500 Words) – 10%
Written Examination (3 hours) – 30%
Oral Examination (15 minutes) – 10%
Reassessment methods:
• Reassessment Instrument: 100% Coursework
Indicative Reading List
Armstrong, N. (2005) Translation, Linguistics, Culture: A French-English Handbook. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Chuquet, H. and Paillard, M. (2004) Approche linguistique des problèmes de traduction anglais-français. Paris: Ophrys.
Hawkins, R. and Towell R. (2015) French Grammar and Usage, 4th edition, Oxford: Routledge.
Hawkins, R. and Towell R. (2015) Practicing French Grammar, 4th edition, Oxford: Routledge.
Hervey, S. and Higgins, I. (2002) Thinking French Translation: a course in translation method: French-English, second edition. Oxford: Routledge.
Vinay, J.-P. and Darbelnet, J. (2013) Stylistique Comparée du Français et de l' anglais. Paris: Didier.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended translation skills, as developed in the first and second years;
2 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to accurately recognise and use a range of registers in French, and demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to the equivalent English registers;
3 Demonstrate perfected linguistic skills by means of studying grammatical and lexical subtleties of the French language;
4 Analyse and demonstrate a deep and cogent understanding of topics related to language and cultural studies, and the complex inter-relationships between such topics, in both French and English;
5 Demonstrate the benefit of having had regular oral practice in French on an extensive range of topics, including academic topics, at an advanced level.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate consolidated and extended ability to identify and analyse concepts, and the relation between concepts, in both the target language and English;
2 Demonstrate the ability to converse in the target language on a range of topics, including academic topics, at an advanced level;
3 Demonstrate enhanced skills of oral as well as written presentation and self-expression;
4 Demonstrate the ability to engage in independent study and research through a variety of methods (including the use of dictionaries and grammars);
5 Demonstrate advanced translation skills.
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