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Sight Translation

Fall 2014

Lecturer:Nrah I. Almohizea

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Outline

Introduction to sight translation:• Definition of sight translation• Process of sight translation• Example• Notes to be considered• How to practice

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Definition

• What is sight translation?• Sight translation transforms a -------- text into

a --------- text. It involves reading a text (silently) in the ---------------- (SL), and then speaking it in ---------------------- (TL).

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Process of sight translationStage 1 (reading comprehension)Scanning (read silently, but quickly) to identify:– the general idea of the type and content of

the text,Skimming– the main points,– any potential problems,– and to write down any equivalents that

come to mind for key words,

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ExampleApple has been a modern marvel. Starting with the

revolutionary iPod, the company’s former chief executive officer Steve Jobs spearheaded an attack on the established order in consumer electronic devices. And this was an industry ripe for distribution. When the state of the art is the Sony Walkman, you know there’s real opportunity to change the game.

Of course, Apple moved on from iPod to iPhone and iPad, using iTunes to shake up the music, book, and software businesses in the process. The one commonality among all these innovations is not just that they were new, but that they were radically new.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20130904-the-end-of-apple-as-we-know-it

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• Get a general idea of the type and content of the text

---------------------------------------------------.

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• Identify the main points-------------------------------------------.-------------------------------------------.

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• Identify potential problems (i.e. problems related to the source language (difficult terms, or complex structures).

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Stage 2Mark off the units of meaning. Example: Apple has been a modern marvel./

Starting with the revolutionary iPod,/ the company’s former chief executive officer Steve Jobs spearheaded an attack/ on the established order in consumer electronic devices.

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Stage 3Initial translation Translate sentence by sentence, focusing on

one unit of meaning at a time while looking at your ST, and make a note of any problems you had.

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Stage 4Revise any problem that you had in stage 3.

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Stage 5Delivery (recording)Translate sentence by sentence, focusing on one

unit of meaning at a time.

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Notes to be consideredTo deliver good translation, you need to pay attention to:• your reading comprehension.• the register and style of the text:

level of formality, direct quotes, technical terms (commonly used)

Before delivery you need to pay attention to:• Accuracy

Grammar; pronunciation, tone and clarity of your voice.

• Pacing

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How topractice?• Look up any difficult terms and compile an alphabetically

arranged glossary.• Practice out loud always, in presence of audience or without

an audience. Practice makes ----------.• Record yourself on an MP3 device (or videotape) using your

phone to so see how you sound (and also look) to your audience.

• Practice with a variety of text types such as, newspaper's articles, legal documents, patient information forms and reports, consent forms, letters, court transcripts, etc.

• Keep a record of your speed for your time management• other strategies?