Translation and Socio-Cultural Differences

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Translation and Socio-Cultural Differences (CTI113)

Synopsis

CTI113e Translation and Socio-Cultural Differences aims to equip students with the knowledge and understanding of cross-cultural relationship between China and the English-speaking countries, with a special emphasis on its relations to translation. Through analyzing the socio-cultural differences between Chinese-speaking and the English-speaking countries and regions, students will develop awareness of key issues in cross-cultural communication between the East and the West and understand how translation plays a role in constructing socio-cultural identities and bridging cross-cultural communication. The course places a special emphasis on the unique socio-cultural contexts in Singapore and trains students to address such uniqueness in Chinese to English and English to Chinese translation.

Level: 1
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JULY

Topics

Culture, Language and Translation
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Semantic Asymmetry and Culturally-Specific Words
Translation of Colours and Idioms
Translation of Religious Text
Food and Beverage Translation

Learning Outcome

Describe the basic issues in cultural relations between China and the Western countries
Identify analogies, false analogies and differences between the Chinese and Western cultures
Apply such knowledge in communication, translation and negotiation
Discuss how extra-linguistic forces can influence the way a text is translated and how a translator negotiates with these forces
Determine the presence and absence of the key cultural features in the translated texts and evaluate the effectiveness of the translation, given the original texts
Recognize the key cultural features in the translated texts and review the effectiveness of the translation, given the original texts