Comparative Literature 481 - Intro/InterpretResrch&Practice

Research and Practice I is the first part of a two-semester certificate course in interpreting across a range of different contexts. While no prior experience in interpreting is necessary, students must have a strong command of English and an emerging proficiency in at least one other language. The course will introduce students to current research in interpreting studies and to a number of basic practical skills required of professional interpreters. Interpreting will be viewed throughout the course as a socio-cultural activity as well as a linguistic one. The social, cultural and ethical complexities of the interpreter?s role will therefore be an important focus of the course. In Part I of the course, students will work with written texts to develop an understanding of micro-textual elements and macro-textual structures and patterns. Students will practice how to understand, analyze, process and reformulate written texts through text analysis and note-taking strategies. They will also begin to develop their listening skills with memory and concentration improvement exercises applied to short spoken texts. The importance for interpreters to develop both general knowledge and specific knowledge about the field in which an interpreting activity takes place will be emphasized. The primary mode of practice in Part I will be consecutive interpreting in health care and legal contexts. Role plays in these two areas will be conducted to familiarize students with the triadic nature of interpreted communication.

Two 300-level courses in a foreign language or a period of study abroad as a pre-requisite.