MOE & UCLES 2018 1

Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board

Translation (Chinese) Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education

Advanced Level Higher 2 (2020) (Syllabus 9571)

CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 2 AIMS 3 ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES 3 ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE 4 MARKING GUIDES 6

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INTRODUCTION The H2 Translation (Chinese) is made up of two components – linguistics and translation. The linguistic component serves as a foundation, providing students with the required tools for systematic analysis of both the English and Chinese languages. The translation component builds upon this foundation and provides students with the theories and strategies for translation tasks. Furthermore, the translation component develops students’ ability to critically analyse translated texts as well as to appreciate the cultural contexts in translating texts from Chinese to English and vice-versa. In order to produce these skills, students require a high level of proficiency in both English and Chinese, without which students will not be adequately equipped to carry out the various tasks in the question papers. DESIGN OF THE H2 TRANSLATION (CHINESE) CURRICULUM The relationship between the components of the subject can be described as follows: Language proficiency and linguistic sensitivity provides the translator with possible options when engaging in the translation tasks. Translation theories and strategies help the translator select the best option appropriate for a task. Learning to carry out critical analysis of translated texts will develop appreciation of the source materials and the translated texts, and heighten awareness of the issues associated with translation tasks. The systematic consideration of issues in language and translation will improve communication skills, enable a keen global awareness and inculcate cross-cultural skills and prepare the learners for the 21st Century. This relationship is represented in the diagram below:

Language Proficiency (prior knowledge)

Linguistic Knowledge

Critique of Translation

Translation theories and strategies

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PREREQUISITES As H2 Translation (Chinese) will require students to study and analyse the constructs of both Chinese Language and English Language, and carry out translation from English Language (EL) to Chinese Language (CL) and vice versa, students would need to be proficient in both the languages, EL and CL. The following criteria will be a prerequisite for H2 Translation (Chinese): i. At least a A2 grade in GCE O-Level English Language and GCE O-Level Chinese Language OR ii. At least a A2 grade in GCE O-Level English Language and at least a B3 grade in GCE O-Level Higher

Chinese Language

AIMS H2 Translation (Chinese) aims to develop in candidates: 1. skills in comparing and contrasting the Chinese and English languages

2. understanding of translation theories and strategies

3. precise comprehension of source texts and accurate reproduction in the target languages 4. critical appreciation of translations

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES Candidates should be able to: 1. demonstrate the ability to translate accurately and appropriately Chinese and English texts from a variety

of genres 2. demonstrate knowledge of differences between Chinese and English as relevant to translation 3. analyse and evaluate translations demonstrating understanding of translation methods, theories and

terminology 4. analyse and evaluate the influence of contextual and cultural factors on translation, especially in relation

to Singapore

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ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE Three compulsory written examinations with a combined duration of 6 hours will be set. The medium of this syllabus is Chinese: all questions are set in Chinese, apart from the English stimulus passages in Paper 2 and Paper 3. Candidates answer all questions in Chinese, apart from the translations into English in Paper 1. ASSESSMENT MODE Candidates are allowed to bring paper dictionaries into the examination room. SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT PAPER 1: TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY: CHINESE TO ENGLISH (1 hour 45 minutes) This paper carries 50 marks and consists of two sections, Section A and Section B. Candidates answer all questions. Section A: short text (15 marks) One question will be set. Candidates will be asked to translate one short text from Chinese into English. The source will be from one of the following genres: manual, recipe, advertisement and brochure. Section B: extended text and guided commentary (35 marks) One question will be set. Candidates will be asked to translate an extended text from Chinese into English and to provide a guided commentary on a small number of given features or a particular aspect of their translation with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory. The source will be from one of the following genres: news article, report, speech or literary text. The guided commentary will be written in Chinese. PAPER 2: TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY: ENGLISH TO CHINESE (1 hour 45 minutes) This paper carries 50 marks and consists of two sections, Section A and Section B. Candidates answer all questions. Section A: short text (15 marks) One question will be set. Candidates will be asked to translate one short text from English into Chinese. The source be from one of the following genres: manual, recipe, advertisement and brochure. Section B: extended text and guided commentary (35 marks) One question will be set. Candidates will be asked to translate an extended text from English into Chinese and to provide a guided commentary on a small number of given features or a particular aspect of their translation with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory. The source will be from one of the following genres: news article, report, speech or literary text. The guided commentary will be written in Chinese.

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PAPER 3: CRITIQUE AND COMPARATIVE CRITICISM (2 hours 30 minutes) This paper carries 100 marks and consists of four sections, Section A, Section B, Section C and Section D. Candidates answer all questions. Section A: error analysis and critique – Chinese to English (15 marks) One question will be set on one English translation of one short Chinese text. Candidates will be asked to identify and analyse errors in the translation and to write a short critique, with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory in all parts of the question. The error analysis and the critique will be written in Chinese. Section B: error analysis and critique – English to Chinese (15 marks) One question will be set on one Chinese translation of one short English text. Candidates will be asked to identify and analyse errors in the translation and to write a short critique, with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory in all parts of the question. The error analysis and the critique will be written in Chinese. Section C: comparative criticism – Chinese to English (35 marks) One question will be set on two English translations of one extended Chinese text. The source will be from one of the following genres: news article, report, speech or Singaporean literary prose text. Candidates will be asked to compare and evaluate the translations, with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory in all parts of the question. The comparative analysis and evaluation will be written in Chinese. Section D: comparative criticism – English to Chinese (35 marks) One question will be set on two Chinese translations of one extended English text. The source will be from one of the following genres: news article, report, speech or Singaporean literary prose text. Candidates will be asked to compare and evaluate the translations, with appropriate references to translation strategies and relevant areas of translation theory in all parts of the question. The comparative analysis and evaluation will be written in Chinese. ASSESSMENT GRID The table below shows the weightings given to each assessment objective.

Paper Weighting Assessment Objectives

AO1 AO2 AO3 AO4

Paper 1 25% 15% 5% 5% -

Paper 2 25% 15% 5% 5% -

Paper 3 50% - 15% 25% 10%

TOTAL 100% 30% 25% 35% 10%

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