SPAN 115A - Basic Principles of Translation

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID: SPAN 115A
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: These open textbooks are being utilized in a translation course for undergraduate students by Juan Berríos at California State University, Fresno. The open textbooks provide both theoretical foundations and application materials for the class. The main motivation to adopt open textbook(s) was enhancing student access. Most students access the open textbook online. 

SPAN 115A - Basic Principles of Translation
Brief Description of course highlights:  Addresses specific problems of Spanish to English and English to Spanish translation, with emphasis on idiomatic expressions. It includes specialized vocabulary from the fields of medicine, literature, journalism, technology, and others.   https://catalog.fresnostate.edu/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=5&coid=37313 

Student population:   Prerequisite: SPAN 3 or SPAN 4B recommended. This is a required course for the Spanish Translation and Interpreting minor and an elective for the Spanish major and minor. The course may also be taken by non-Spanish majors or minors, provided they meet the minimum requirements.

Learning or student outcomes: 
1. Complete short and medium-length translation assignments considering specific translation brief requirements and cultural contexts.
2. Carry out relevant terminological research using glossaries, dictionaries, parallel texts, and computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools.
3. Apply knowledge about the structure of the Spanish language to analyses of translation assignments.
4. Discuss translation assignments using discipline-specific terminology and theory.
5. Offer critiques on translation samples considering techniques, errors, and accuracy.
6.  Collaborate with student colleagues on a large-scale translation project

Key challenges faced and how resolved: The primary challenge in this course is that not all students have the same baseline knowledge of Spanish, in particular written Spanish. To address this, the course includes supplemental instruction in academic writing and Spanish grammar.

Textbook or OER/Low-cost Title: Introduction to Translation and Interpreting Studies. A translation manual for the Caribbean (English-Spanish) = Un manual de traducción para el Caribe (inglés-español) 

Brief Description:  .I use chapters from different books to better meet the needs of the class. The first textbook is practical in nature and includes problem sets for students to complete. The second textbook is theory-oriented and provides in-depth explanations of complex concepts.

Links to the resource  
https://csu-fresnostate.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CALS_UFR/1c04q96/alma991067619488602901 

https://csu-fresnostate.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CALS_UFR/1c04q96/alma991075465510202901   

Authors:
Ian Craig and Jairo Sanchez
John W. Schwieter and Aline Ferreira.

Student access:  Students can access the books through the library. They can read them online or print individual chapters as needed. Access links are provided on Canvas.

Supplemental resources:  The textbooks are complemented by several resources, including reading guides and problem sets created by the instructors, as well as slides provided to students at the end of each week.

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook.  No textbooks were required but textbooks ranging from $40 to $140 were recommended.

License*:  Both textbooks are copyrighted but available to an unlimited number of students free of charge through ProQuest.

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process
Please provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost. I am interested in enhancing access to course materials. While cost is an important consideration, it is not the only one. Adopting OERs can also facilitate access to materials in various formats (e.g., e-books, audiobooks, and video tutorials) and promote engagement with activities beyond traditional reading and writing exercises.

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course?  I consulted with the facilitators of the Zero Cost Course Materials training on my campus. I also explored several online resources, particularly those available for free through our library.

Sharing Best Practices: There are more high-quality open-access resources available than one might initially expect. It is also advisable to check whether the library already has access to a resource or could obtain it with a relatively low investment.

Describe any challenges you experienced, and lessons learned. I believe one of the biggest challenges is reframing the course and organizing materials in a cohesive and coherent way. A key advantage of a traditional textbook is its consistent style and content presentation, often accompanied by practice activities. Instructors using OERs may need to make an extra effort to adapt or edit materials from different sources in order to provide students with a streamlined learning experience.

Instructor Name - Juan Berríos
I am an Assistant Professor in Spanish at California State University, Fresno. 

Please provide a link to your university page.
https://cah.fresnostate.edu/about/directory/mcll/berrios-juan.html

Please describe the courses/course numbers that you teach.  I teach The Acquisition of Spanish as a Second Language, Applied Spanish Linguistics, Introduction to Spanish Linguistics, Basic Principles of Translation, Advanced Translation, Essentials of Medical Interpreting, Advanced Medical Interpreting, and Essentials of Legal Interpreting.

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  My research and teaching both revolve around language use. My aim is to help students become effective communicators. This means they should not only understand a concept but also be able to articulate their understanding of it to a variety of audiences. To achieve this, I use aligned course design, class discussions, and project-based learning.