Unit ENGLISH LINGUISTICS AND TRANSLATION I
- Course
- Languages, comparative literatures and intercultural translation
- Study-unit Code
- A000138
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Chiara Polli
- Teachers
-
- Chiara Polli
- Hours
- 36 ore - Chiara Polli
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2025
- Offered
- 2025/26
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Lingue e letterature moderne
- Sector
- L-LIN/12
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- English
- Contents
- The course offers a theoretical introduction to Translation Studies, focusing on the translation of various multimodal texts from English to Italian and Italian to English. In particular, the course focuses on comics, analyzing different formats (comic strip, comic book, graphic novel). Through these case studies, students will gain insight into the specific challenges of translating integrated visual and textual content, as well as the strategies that make translations effective.
- Reference texts
- Venuti, L. (Ed.). The Translation Studies Reader. Routledge 2012, Third Ed. Capitoli 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22. - Munday, J. Introducing Translation Studies. Routledge 2016, Forth Ed. Chapter 4.1 - Zanettin, F. Comics in Translation. Routledge, 2008. Chapters 1 and 2. Specific information regarding the course and further teaching materials will be available on the Unistudium platform: https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/login/index.php on the page dedicated to the course English Linguistics and Translation I. Students with disabilities and/or with SLD who, having completed regular accreditation through SOL, have obtained access to University services, can apply for the compensatory tools ensured by law (e.g. textbooks in digital format; teaching materials in accessible formats: presentations, handouts, workbooks, provided if necessary in advance of the lessons), for which consult https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. For the request, students are invited to ask the teacher, who will put them in contact with the Disability and/or SLD Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it)
- Educational objectives
- At the end of the course English Linguistics and Translation I, students are expected to have achieved the following: Knowledge and understanding: a solid understanding of the main theoretical approaches in Translation Studies, with particular focus on the cultural and critical developments of the discipline, as well as in-depth knowledge of English linguistics applied to the translation of multimodal texts, especially comics. Applied knowledge and understanding: the ability to apply theoretical and methodological tools to the analysis and translation of complex, culturally marked texts such as comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels, recognizing and addressing the specific challenges of multimodality, humor, and cultural mediation. Independent judgment: the capacity to critically evaluate translation choices and to select appropriate strategies for the effective rendering of linguistic and cultural content, with awareness of textual and pragmatic implications. Communication skills: expressive and metalinguistic proficiency in English across different registers, both written and oral, with the ability to argue for and justify translation decisions in academic and professional contexts. Learning skills: the development of independent learning abilities, critical thinking, and the capacity to further deepen linguistic and translation-related knowledge acquired throughout the course.
- Prerequisites
- The course ENGLISH LINGUISTICS AND TRANSLATION I requires as a prerequisite at least three English language exams from the Bachelor's degree program, as well as a C1 level of proficiency.
- Teaching methods
- The course combines lectures and class discussions. The first part of the course will introduce students to the main theoretical contributions of Translation Studies through guided reading and critical commentary of selected texts. In the second part of the course, students will engage in activities involving the commentary of comic book translations and the comparative analysis of existing translations. Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD), after consulting with the instructor, may request accessible versions of teaching materials (presentations, handouts, exercise books), which can be provided in advance if necessary, as well as the use of other technological support tools during their study process. For general information, please consult the University services at the following page: https://lettere.unipg.it/home/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Departmental Representative (Prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it).
- Other information
- All foreign language courses are divided into two parts: one taught by the Professor of Linguistics at the Department (who is the only one authorized to assign credits and the final grade), and one held at the University Language Centre (CLA), with classes led by native-speaking language experts. Attendance is highly recommended. The exam taken at the CLA contributes to the determination of the final grade. Students will follow a theoretical component focused on language linguistics and translation studies, which lasts one semester, and a practical component taught at the CLA, which spans the entire academic year (80 hours) and consists of targeted language-learning activities. The aim of the practical sessions is to reach a [C1+ Master's level, in this case] linguistic proficiency. Students who already hold an international language certification obtained within the last two years are not exempt from the language proficiency test administered at the end of the CLA annual courses. Passing this test is mandatory in order to take the exam with the Department Professor. Students with disabilities and/or SLD: for any information on University services, consult the page https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Disability and/or DSA Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it)
- Learning verification modality
- There will be mid-term quizzes and final oral exams. The mid-term quizzes will include both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The results will provide extra points to be added to the final grade, but participation in these quizzes is not mandatory. Every student must take the final oral exam, which will cover all course modules. Duration of the assessments: mid-term quizzes will last 90 minutes, and oral exams will range from 20 to 30 minutes. Students with disabilities and/or with SLD who, having completed regular accreditation through SOL, have obtained access to University services, can apply for compensatory tools, dispensatory measures and inclusive technologies ensured by law, to be requested and agreed with the teacher well in advance of tests and exams. For general information, consult the page https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Disability and/or SLD Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it).
- Extended program
- In the first part of the course, students will be introduced to theoretical reflections in Translation Studies. The initial weeks will focus on the emergence and development of translation theory, examining its evolution and how these changes reflect the cultural and social transformations of different historical periods. Through selected readings from The Translation Studies Reader and classroom discussions, students will be introduced to the key concepts that have shaped modern theory, including the work of Friedrich Schleiermacher and its later elaboration by Lawrence Venuti, James S. Holmes, Roman Jakobson, Walter Benjamin, George Steiner, Eugene Nida, Itamar Even-Zohar, André Lefevere, Antoine Berman, and Gideon Toury—figures who have significantly contributed to the development and definition of Translation Studies. In the second phase, students will apply the theoretical knowledge gained to the translation of comics, a genre rich in specific translational challenges. The course will begin with an introduction to the language of comics, a form of visual storytelling that integrates text and image. The distinctive features of this multimodal narrative form—such as visual sequencing, pacing, and the interplay between images and words—will be explored, all of which are crucial elements a translator must consider in order to preserve the communicative effectiveness of the original work. Existing translations will be examined and critically discussed, highlighting and questioning the strategies and techniques used to adapt content, context, and cultural references. Students will analyze and work on short narrative formats (comic strips) as well as more complex and often serialized works (comic books and graphic novels), reflecting on how each translational choice can influence the perception of the work. Students will also explore themes such as the role of humor and satire, considering how culture profoundly shapes the reception of a text. Through specific case studies, they will confront the challenges of translating puns, cultural references, and implicit humor, assessing the balance between equivalence and adaptation.