Miami Dade College

Eduardo J. Padrón Campus

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE

Eduardo J. Padrón Campus
TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION STUDIES
Course Syllabus for
FOT-2825
COMPUTER ASSISTED TRANSLATION

I. Course Identification:
FOT-2825 3 credits
Reference: 9032
Instructor: Dr. Ricardo Bardo-Portilla
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 305-237-6073
Office 1370
Classroom location: Remote
Class Hours Monday/Wednesday 7:05 pm – 8:20 pm

LAST DAY TO DROP WITH REFUND; CHANGE courses without financial penalty;
REGISTER, ADD a course or CHANGE sections with instructor or department approval;
change from AUDIT STATUS to CREDIT STATUS or from CREDIT STATUS to AUDIT
STATUS: January 12th, 2021. See College Academic Calendar for other important dates
(http://www.mdc.edu/main/academics/academic_calendar.aspx).

II. Prerequisites:
CGS 1060 or competency

III. Course Description:

The course provides an overview of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools available in the
market and used in the translation industry; the difference between computer-assisted translation
and machine translation, and Internet-based resources of use to translators. Description and
application of tools such as electronic dictionaries, translation memory, terminology tools, word
counting tools, alignment tools and website translation are covered. The course will then focus
on Trados and MemoQ, helping students to understand its utilities and applications, and offer
basic training in the skills required to use this package. This is a hands-on course that will train
students on the basic use of Trados and MemoQ.

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IV. General Course Objectives:
Students will:
 Develop an awareness of the benefits of using CAT (Computer-Assisted
Translation) tools in the translation process.
 Attain a sound understanding of key concepts in CAT tools.
 Acquire the necessary skills that will enable students to use CAT tools correctly
and appropriately at all stages of the translation process.
 Become familiar with the SDL Trados package and other CAT tools.

MDC Learning Outcomes

1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment.

IV. Course Competencies

Competency 1: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the most important features of

SDL Trados 2019 and SDL Multiterm by:

a. Preparing a translation environment

b. Creating a new translation memory
c. Opening an existing translation memory
d. Importing and exporting translation memories
e. Preparing the translation files
f. Analyzing the translation files
g. Translating the translation files
h. Saving the translated file

Competency 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to prepare files for translation by:

a. Converting the source material from its original format to a format that can be read by a
translation memory system
b. Using the analyze file command to generate information about the number of segments,
total number of words, repetitions, full matches, several levels of fuzzy matches and no
matches (new words)

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Competency 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to work with tagged files by:

a. Working with tags

b. Working with internal/external files
c. Translation workflow for Microsoft files
d. Edit menu and toolbar
e. Add/delete/insert/ tags
f. Tag protection and verification

Competency 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use memoQ by:

a. Preparing a translation environment

b. Creating a new translation memory
c. Opening an existing translation memory
d. Importing and exporting translation memories
e. Preparing the translation files
f. Analyzing the translation files
g. Translating the translation files
h. Saving the translated file

V. Instructional Material:
Students are encouraged to purchase or download some internet applications for smart
phones and tablets.

Recommended Applications (Apps) for smart phones and tablets

1. Law Dictionary by WordMagic ($)

2. WordReference (free)
3. ReversoContext (free)
4. iRae (free)
5. Google Translate (free)
6. www.proz.com (free)
7. www.linguee.com

Book: The Translator's Tool Box: A Computer Primer for Translators. Jost Zetzsche
Ver. 10 (E-Book)
http://www.internationalwriters.com/toolbox/

The following webinars are also recommended:

http://www.translationzone.com/events/webinar-recordings/ 

VI. Evaluation and Grading Scale:

First Exam – 30%

Second Exam – 30%
Third Exam – 30%

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Homework – 5%
Attendance – 5%

The grading scale for this course is as follows:

A 90 – 100 Excellent
B 80 – 89 Good
C 70 – 79 Average
D 60 – 69 Poor *
F Failure
*This is not a passing grade and may be repeated.
Notes: Students will be allowed to bring to translation exams all types of dictionaries, glossaries,
and thesauri as this constitutes the norm.
- Grades of Incomplete may be assigned only in documented cases. Documentation of the reason
for the incomplete must be provided and an agreement to complete the outstanding work must be
signed.

VII. Withdrawal Policy:

It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from the course if he/she decides to do
so for whatever reason. After four consecutive absences – equal to six class hours—without
explanation or notification from student, the instructor may administratively drop students from
course mainly for non-attendance. To avoid administrative withdrawal, students are encouraged
to call/contact the number provided.

VIII. Common Courtesies, please:

- Turn off or place in “silent” mode cell phones. Do not answer phones during class.
- Try to be on time for class
- Avoid conversations during class, especially when a fellow student is presenting.
- Respect your classmates’ beliefs and customs.
- Come to class prepared with corresponding translation assignments, dictionary or other tools
required.

Student Code of Conduct: The college policy on the Student Code of Conduct is located at
https://www.mdc.edu/procedures/Chapter4/4025. Please familiarize yourself with it.

IX. Attendance Policy:

Attendance accounts for 5% of the final grade. It is in the student’s best interest to attend classes
to benefit from CAT practice and feedback. With four (4) unexcused absences, the instructor will
automatically purge the student from the class. Reason (s) for unexcused absences will be
determined at the discretion of the instructor and documentation will be required. The instructor
will notify the student verbally and in writing prior to purging the student from the class.

X. Academic Honesty:
The department affirms its commitment to treat cases of academic dishonesty according to

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Miami Dade College Procedure 4035. Students are forewarned that academic dishonesty in any
form will be penalized according to this procedure. Cheating or any form of academic
dishonesty may also result in the student’s being placed on academic probation, suspended from
school, or dismissed from the College. The College policy for dealing with Academic
Dishonesty is https://www.mdc.edu/procedures/Chapter4/4035.

XI. Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 3:30-5:30pm, (Rm1370). To schedule an appointment, please send an e-
mail at: [email protected]

XII. Calendar and Pacing Schedule (Subject to change)

WEEK CONTENT – POWER POINT PRESENTATION/RECORDING

 Course introduction
 Translation industry overview (Commons Sense Advisory)
 Localization, its history and future: translation, globalization,
localization, internationalization, market development, technology.
1
 What is localized: software, help, and documentation
 Machine Translation vs. Translation memory software
 Introduction to CAT Tools

 Trados Interface
 Trados – Creating, opening a TM.
2  Trados - File Analysis, reports, word count Translating
Word files

 Translation of Assignment 1 – Sample Photo Printer

3

 How to review a translated document

4

 WinAlign – How to align translated documents

5

6 Quiz 1

 Creating Termbases from Excel Glossaries

7

 How to create AutoSugget Dictionaries

 How to use TM’s together with Machine Translation
8
 How to translate a webpage

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  How to translate complex file formats
9

10  How to translate complex file formats

11 Quiz 2

 MemoQ
12

 MemoQ – Alignment
13

 MemoQ and Machine Translation

14

 How to create a glossary with MemoQ and how to translate

15 a Power Point Presentation - Terminology

16 Quiz 3 Translation project from start to finish

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