Sumários
Review of Practical 1: Intralingual Translation and Newmark’s Translation Methods
21 Setembro 2026, 15:00 • Rui Vitorino Azevedo
Review of Practical 1: Intralingual Translation and Newmark’s Translation Methods
This session was dedicated to reviewing Practical 1, which focused on intralingual translation — the process of rewriting a text within the same language, in this case moving from Early Modern English (the 1611 King James Bible) into contemporary English. Students had chosen one of the following passages:
- Source Text 1 – Genesis 11:1–9 (The Tower of Babel)
- Source Text 2 – Genesis 3:1–10 (The Serpent and the Fall)
The review was structured around the assignment’s three parts. First, the class revisited the source text analysis, discussing how students identified key challenges such as archaic vocabulary, obsolete verb forms, biblical register, cultural references, and narrative style, as well as how Early Modern English differs from contemporary English and how diverging interpretations can shape adaptation choices.
Next, students’ intralingual translations were reviewed, with attention to which of the three strategies had been applied — gist translation (conveying overall meaning loosely), exegetic translation (expanding and explaining the text), or faithful reproduction (staying close to the original’s meaning and tone) — and how effectively the chosen strategy aligned with the stated target audience.
We then moved on to Peter Newmark’s translation methods, moving through definitions, key features, and practical contexts in which each method might be applied, with examples drawn from English-to-Portuguese translation. To ground the discussion, students were presented with lines from three Shakespearean plays and asked to translate each using both the semantic and communicative translation methods, exploring how the two approaches yield different results depending on the translator’s priorities. Students were asked to finish this exercise at home.
Review of Practical 1: Intralingual Translation and Newmark’s Translation Methods
21 Setembro 2026, 13:00 • Rui Vitorino Azevedo
Review
of Practical 1: Intralingual Translation and Newmark’s Translation Methods
This
session was dedicated to reviewing Practical 1, which focused on intralingual
translation — the process of rewriting a text within the same language, in this
case moving from Early Modern English (the 1611 King James Bible) into
contemporary English. Students had chosen one of the following passages:
- Source Text 1 – Genesis 11:1–9
(The Tower of Babel)
- Source Text 2 – Genesis 3:1–10
(The Serpent and the Fall)
The review
was structured around the assignment’s three parts. First, the class revisited
the source text analysis, discussing how students identified key challenges
such as archaic vocabulary, obsolete verb forms, biblical register, cultural
references, and narrative style, as well as how Early Modern English differs
from contemporary English and how diverging interpretations can shape
adaptation choices.
Next,
students’ intralingual translations were reviewed, with attention to which of
the three strategies had been applied — gist translation (conveying overall
meaning loosely), exegetic translation (expanding and explaining the text), or
faithful reproduction (staying close to the original’s meaning and tone) — and
how effectively the chosen strategy aligned with the stated target audience.
We then
moved on to Peter Newmark’s translation methods, moving through definitions,
key features, and practical contexts in which each method might be applied,
with examples drawn from English-to-Portuguese translation. To ground the
discussion, students were presented with lines from three Shakespearean plays
and asked to translate each using both the semantic and communicative
translation methods, exploring how the two approaches yield different results
depending on the translator’s priorities. Students were asked to finish this
exercise at home.
Foundations of Translation
16 Setembro 2026, 15:00 • Rui Vitorino Azevedo
Foundations
of Translation
This
session introduced the foundations of translation practice. The class opened
with a discussion of personal experiences with translation and the role of the
translator, emphasizing two core types of decisions: strategic decisions
(analyzing the source text, target audience, genre, and purpose) and detailed
decisions (grammar, word choice, and cultural context). Translation was framed
as an iterative process between the source text (ST) and target text (TT), and
key terminology — SL/TL (languages) and ST/TT (texts) — was introduced.
Roman
Jakobson’s three types of translation were also covered: interlingual,
intralingual, and intersemiotic. Particular attention was given to intralingual
translation and the three forms that could be used in this type of translation such
as gist translation, exegetic translation, and faithful reproduction.
Students
then worked in pairs on Practical 1, choosing one of two source texts — Genesis
11:1–9 or Genesis 3:1–10 — to analyze and adapt. As there was no time to conclude,
students were asked to finish at home and submit via Moodle.
Foundations of Translation
16 Setembro 2026, 13:00 • Rui Vitorino Azevedo
Foundations
of Translation
This
session introduced the foundations of translation practice. The class opened
with a discussion of personal experiences with translation and the role of the
translator, emphasizing two core types of decisions: strategic decisions
(analyzing the source text, target audience, genre, and purpose) and detailed
decisions (grammar, word choice, and cultural context). Translation was framed
as an iterative process between the source text (ST) and target text (TT), and
key terminology — SL/TL (languages) and ST/TT (texts) — was introduced.
Roman
Jakobson’s three types of translation were also covered: interlingual,
intralingual, and intersemiotic. Particular attention was given to intralingual
translation and the three forms that could be used in this type of translation such
as gist translation, exegetic translation, and faithful reproduction.
Students
then worked in pairs on Practical 1, choosing one of two source texts — Genesis
11:1–9 or Genesis 3:1–10 — to analyze and adapt. As there was no time to conclude,
students were asked to finish at home and submit via Moodle.
Course Introduction
14 Setembro 2026, 15:00 • Rui Vitorino Azevedo
Course
Introduction
The first
session covered the course syllabus, assessments, and key dates. The grade
breakdown is as follows: two translation tests worth 30% each (each requiring a
translated excerpt and an analytical commentary), a group presentation worth
20%, and homework, participation, and attendance making up the remaining 20%.
Students were asked to enroll on Moodle to access readings and assignments
throughout the semester.
Regarding
presentations, students were asked to form groups of 4–5 and will present for
20–25 minutes during the final sessions in December. Group topics must be
approved by the instructor via email, with a maximum of two groups per topic,
so early sign-up is encouraged. Presentations must include visual aids
(PowerPoint, Canva, Prezi, etc.), follow a clear introduction/body/conclusion
structure, and maintain consistent language use — either all English or all
Portuguese. Reading directly from slides is not permitted. Grades will reflect
both group and individual contributions.
We then
reviewed the eight presentation topics that students can choose from, which
included the mistranslation of film titles; slang, dialects, and accents in a
film or series; swearing and profanity; video game localization; and children’s
media, among others.
I also
covered the AI declaration, which must be submitted with each practical and the
presentation.