Translation of Chinese Canonical Texts
- Course Code:
- 15PSRC064
- Status:
- Course Not Running 2012/13
- Unit value:
- 1.0
- Year of study:
- Any
The aim of the course is to develop independent study skills, specifically through training in the skills of editing and translating material that has not been previously edited, or of translating and annotating texts that already exist in edited form.
Prerequisites
This course can be taken as a major or minor option on the MA programme in Islamic Studies. It is central to the objectives of the degree, which is based on extensive use of Arabic and translation from Islamic texts. Qualifications for entry Appropriate knowledge of written Arabic. The student must be able to work independently and meet deadlines. Teaching This is an independent project during which students receive general guidance and supervision from a teacher in the relevant field. Meetings and discussions with the supervisor occur at regular intervals.
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
On completing the course a student will have demonstrated the ability to translate such a text from Chinese into English and to equip the translation with appropriate annotation and a critical introduction. The course will thus serve to introduce qualified students to the research aids available for translating Buddhist and Taoist canonical texts from Chinese.Method of assessment
Method of assessment One written translation of a chosen text, to be handed in no later than the first week of May, and an oral examination in May/June. The text under study is usually selected from those have not yet been translated into English, although exceptions may be made in the case of badly edited or poorly translated texts. The choice of text must be approved by the supervisor. If a particular text selected for translation requires editing or re-editing from manuscripts, then the student is required to produce a critical edition and an English translation of a section of 5000 to 7000 words, depending on the difficulty of the editorial work involved. If the text has been already well edited, the student is required to translate and annotate a chapter or section of approximately 10,000 words. In both cases the student is expected to comment on points of language and content and on particular difficulties faced in making the translation.
