Special Topics: EU Language Policy and Translation Policy

Département d'études françaises — Translation Studies sector

Academic Year 2020–21 | Winter (remote online) | Tuesdays 5:45 p.m.

Important!
Students should ensure they have a good Internet access. The decision on whether or not to activate one's webcam during class discussion is left to the discretion of the student. We remind students that it is strictly forbidden and against Concordia University's Code of Conduct to circulate the course content (Word, PDF, PowerPoint, evaluations, etc.) on websites that host or share teaching documents, university papers, etc.

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• Library: library.concordia.ca
• Department website: http://francais.concordia.ca
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• Code of Conduct: concordia.ca/conduct/academic-integrity/offences.html
• Student information: concordia.ca/students.html

Specific course description and objectives

This “special topics” course, in English, presents a brief historical overview of the European Union, with emphasis on the basic principles of EU language policy and translation policy. It introduces the concepts that underpin the creation and development of the European Union and its role in the world today, including its relationship to Canada through the recent EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). We discuss the challenges of European multilingualism and its management through official language and translation policies implemented within the EU and its diverse institutions. Equal consideration is given to the role of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) and its support for minoritized languages and minority language translation. The complexities of a multilingual minority context are exemplified by the linguistic-translational situation of Romani peoples, who collectively comprise Europe's largest ethnic minority and reside within multiple nation-state borders, with literacy in different languages. We examine the various means by which translation is currently carried out in the EU context: by human and machine translation; with internal and external translation services managed by the Directorate-General for Translation (DGT); and through assessment of “competence” skill levels as guided by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the European Master's in Translation (EMT), among others. Lastly, we look at the digital transformations occurring within the contemporary EU, and consider the e-democracy and artificial intelligence initiatives in terms of the conceptual frameworks by which the European Union was founded.

More specifically, in this course you will learn to:

• Identify the main historical building blocks of the European Union;
• Understand the general role of the European Union in the world today, and its specific relationship to Canada;
• Identify the fundamental principles of plurilingual EU language policy and translation policy in historical context and in contemporary times;
• Contextualize the creation and development of specific frameworks designed to measure diverse language and translation skills and knowledge in preparation for the EU translation market;
• Identify the various ways European / EU organizations have integrated digital and translation policies and technologies in order to support goals of citizen access to information, equitable representation, and participatory democracy;
• Investigate the specific ways in which the EU encourages social integration through minority language support and translation;
• Identify the linguistic and cultural characteristics of the minoritized Romani context, contextualizing them historically;
• Investigate, interpret, and understand translation practices in minority language-culture contexts;
• Contextualize EU values, goals, and objectives within contemporary digital dynamics.

Pedagogical assessment and evaluation

Class procedures

Pre-recorded segments will be posted a week in advance, before the next class. The recorded segments will be approximately 20 minutes and will highlight the main points to take into consideration for your weekly readings. They will be posted on our Moodle class site. Ensure you watch or listen to them before you begin your readings!

Readings comprise selected articles and book chapters. They are posted and accessible through links in our class Moodle site from the outset of the course. You will find details in the weekly portions of the site and in this syllabus. Please note that this course assumes a significant amount of reading. Make sure you have a look at the content in advance, so that you can plan ahead for the amount of time you will need during the week to read through the materials.

Comments on the weekly Moodle discussion forum should be posted at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled class time. Each week you are responsible for posting at least one substantive, informed comment for discussion on the readings. There are many angles from which to consider the reading content. We will bring your comments into the class discussion.

Class discussions at our scheduled class time will be synchronous and not recorded. They constitute an important space for articulating, clarifying, and critiquing ideas. This activity is also most helpful for working through the ideas you may want to use for your final research papers. The discussion period will likely run about 45 minutes on the scheduled class days.

Grading criteria

Combined pre-recorded segment listening + class comments and discussions (40%)

• Constitutes 40/100 points of final grade
• Based on a total of 10 out of 13 weeks
• Weekly calculation based on 4 points
• Breakdown of 4 points:
  • 4=excellent
  • 3=good
  • 2=satisfactory
  • 1=unsatisfactory

Final research paper (60%)

• Constitutes 60/100 points of final grade
• Based on quality and respect of protocol (see below)
• Breakdown of assessment categories:
  • "Excellent": originality; information highly relevant to the questions posed; highly critical and analytical; superior and judicious use of citations and supporting evidence
  • "Very Good/Good": clear argument and presentation; information generally relevant to the questions posed; good level of critical and analytical engagement with texts; very good use of citations and supporting evidence
  • "Satisfactory": spotty argument and presentation; information tends to be irrelevant to the questions posed; critical analysis is generally missing or faulty in logic; citations not always properly done and sources ambiguous
  • "Unsatisfactory": lack of coherent argument and presentation; information tends to be illogical and/or irrelevant; no or little critical analysis; improper use of citations

Final grade calculation (100%)

• Calculated on the basis of 100 points = 100%
• Breakdown of grading categories:
  • Excellent = A+ = 100-95 // A = 94-90
  • Very Good = A- = 89-85 // B+ = 84-80
  • Good = B = 79-75 // B- = 74-71
  • Satisfactory = C+ = 70-67 // C = 66-64
  • Unsatisfactory = C- = 63-60 // D+ = 59-57

Protocol for final research papers

• You will need to reserve a 15-minute one-on-one individual meeting with me *by the end of March* to discuss your final research paper topic and method before you begin writing.
• Papers may be submitted in English, or in French.
• Please follow the Chicago Manual of Style 17^th edition (EN) or TTR style guide (FR).
• Papers should be a minimum of 20 pages in length, with an additional number of pages appropriate for your bibliography.
• Use the standard default Calibri font set at 11. Include a cover page that states your name, student ID number, and title.
• Critical tip! Good, clear, precise writing is a skill that is valued highly for professional work of all types in today's job market. Writing a paper requires adequate time for conceptualization and preparation. Think about the research topic you want to explore or the research question you want to address. It is helpful to map out in advance the points you wish to make. State at the outset how you will proceed, and define important terms and concepts. Synthesize and reference others to support or critique your statements.
• Take care to reference and cite properly. Any and all passages that are plagiarized will be reported to the Department Chair, and the paper will receive an automatic failure. There is no need to resort to plagiarism. Our objective is to enhance the analytical, critical and writing skills you will need for future professional or academic work, so that you will feel confident in your own work. That purpose is defeated if you simply copy-­paste someone else's words. See me in advance if you need assistance or guidance.
• You do not have to translate any English or French quotes you include in the paper.
• Papers are graded according to quality of argument, clarity of expression, proper use of terminology and concepts, and adequate, acceptable citation.

MID-TERM BREAK (Mar 1–7)

UNIVERSITY CLOSED (Apr 2–5)