Course Title
Code / No. No. of Units
Theor y
Practice Training Credit
Computer Application to Translation
LAN 480
3 3
Prerequisites Course:
Compulsory (√ ) Optional ( )
Course Timing:
First Semester: (√ ) Summer: ( ) Second Semester : ( )
The Course Description in Brief:
This course is an introduction to machine translation, its definition and its efficiency. The course also provides an overview of the use of computers in translation and the practical and theoretical problems encountered. Central issues include machine translation and its limitation, machine-aided translation, terminology banks, translator workstations, and online dictionaries. Within this course, students will have the opportunity to compare their translation to the product of machine translation through practice on a wide range of text types both in Arabic and English.
The Course Objectives:
This course aims at introducing students to machine translation and approaches and skills needed to handle this type of translation. The course objective is also to enhance the student knowledge about computer programs, text processing programs, text inputting, online dictionaries, and electronic dictionaries and surfing the internet. This course main objective is to answer the flowing question: can computers replace human beings in translation?
Contents:
1. Definition of machine translation
2. Major problems in machine translation 3. Machine translation and its limitation 4. Machine-aided translation
5. Text inputting and processing
6. Online and electronic dictionaries usage
The Course Outcomes:
Scientific Skills:
- Students will develop competence and skills in using computer programs and the Internet.
- Students will be familiar with text inputting, text processing, and machine-aided translation.
Behavioral Skills:
- Students will develop interpersonal skills, a sense of responsibility, a commitment to class work, and self- learning ability.
- Students will develop critical thinking capacities.
Analytical Skills:
- Students will acquire the capacity for critical thinking and analysis.
- Students will develop awareness of the role of the translator in comparison with machines.
Assessment Methods:
Assessment mechanism is based on a continuous assessment of in-class performance, assignments, periodic tests, and a final exam.
Textbooks:
John Hutchins and Harold L. Somers. ‘An Introduction to Machine Translation’.
Cambridge, Academic Press Limited. 1992 .
References :
Hutchins, John. ‘Past, Present, Future’. Cambridge, 1st Edition. Longman Higher Education. 1986.
Website
http://www.wata.cc /
Contents
Week Topics Notes
1. Introduction to the Course and Its Objectives 2. What is Machine Translation?
3. Problems in Machine Translation 1 4. Problems in Machine Translation 2 5. Periodical Test .1
6. Can computers Replace the Translator?
7. Does machine translation need the translator’s help?
8. Electronic and Online Dictionaries Usage 9. Samples of Distorted Machine Translation 10. Practice on Different Types of Texts
11. Periodical Test. 2
12. Practice on Different Types of Texts 13. The Future of Machine translation 14. Practice on Different Types of Texts 15. Revision
16. Final Exam.
