Remember no lesson this Friday. Here is the blog content for Monday

Ok people. So no class this Friday.

Monday's lesson I will still be away but at least you have some work to do!

(You can do it from home as long as it gets done!!)

This time it is a translation.

First some general info:-
Today we have reached the end of our writing course.

To recapitulate 

We have talked about the general characteristics of writing:

• How it stands "outside" time
• How it requires a structure
• How it is governed by many rules and constraints such as:

1.  Grammar
2.   Spelling
3.   Syntax
4.   Register 
5.   Paragraphing

We have looked at a five-paragraph-essay as a simple building block of writing.

Then we have tried our hand at formal and informal English.

Today we finish off with the skill of translation.

I will start off by distributing and going through a handout with you.
Here it is.

Translation involves transferring the meaning from one language to another as faithfully and accurately as possible.

It is not the same as paraphrasing or summarising in another language.
It is a very useful skill.

If we look just at Leksand and its municipality we can see many areas where translation is needed.

• Business (international companies)
• Twinning arrangements (Uganda-Leksand)
• Tourism
• Music/Song

It is claimed that on an average University course in Sweden 70% of course literature is written in English.
So the uses are endless.

Nowadays it is possible to use eletronic tools to assist in translation.

If you use google translate "It's raining cats and dogs" it no longer says:
"Det regnar hundar och katter" but if you put in
"How are you going to worm your way out of this?" the result is just as bizarre!
Try  "He turned up like the bad penny!" and see what you get!

The problem of producing a good translationis not only to be accurate but also to get the right "feel" conveyed by the original text.

Here is your translation task. Easy? Probably not!


This is one of the harder things to do well!

The handout takes you through the most important things

1. Accuracy- That does not mean "word for word"
otherwise you get
"Have it so good" (ha det så bra) and
"Shoot yourself" (sköt dig (själv))

2. Terminology
The translation is about skiing. What words (terms) specific to that area will you need?

3. Language and style
The original is somewhat informal. Your version needs to be the same"

4. Country standards
What do you do with the miles in the text?

5. Text formatting
We are more careful in English about paragraphing than in Swedish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!!

FINALLY

Now let's turn to next week.
We have the classic book talks.
15 people will do their talks with me on Friday week 49 and15 on next Friday (week 50). 

Please fill in the sheet which is here 

• Your name
• Author's name
• Title of book
• Week 49 / 50