This unit describes the skills required to translate special purpose texts from English to a language other than English (LOTE). It identifies the skills needed to convey the purpose and use of the source information in functionally equivalent translated texts for a specific audience.

This unit applies to those working as translators of special purpose texts where there may be significant equivalence problems between source and target text and the subject of the text has its own specific terminology. There may also be a need to undertake extensive research and translate complex language and concepts.

It requires sound conceptual understanding of the material being translated and its context in order to produce translations that are accurate and appropriate for the context, target audience and end use. The language transfer process requires high level language skills and the ability to apply specialist resources and subject specific glossaries, including specialist bilingual glossaries.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and industry codes and standards for ethical translating and interpreting adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently using a broad range of support resources as required, while performing sophisticated tasks in a range of specialised contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least two occasions.

using advanced techniques to produce a functionally equivalent translation that is accurate and appropriate for the context, target audience and end use, including:

adaptation

contrastive analysis of meaning and language

equivalence at the level of discourse, pragmatics, syntax and word

grammatical function transposition

localisation

text manipulation to clarify meaning

applying sound conceptual understanding of the specialist material being translated and its context

using advanced bilingual research skills and the ability to critically apply specialist resources, including style guides, subject-specific or specialist bilingual glossaries and reference material

using a wide range of consistent registers and styles appropriate to end use

using correct and idiomatic collocation, lexis and syntax

using current and consistent specialist vocabulary, including foreign loan words

ensuring factual correctness, including at the level of tense, gender and singular or plural complex language

using correct target language punctuation and paragraphing

using spelling appropriate to audience

using textual devices that create cohesion and coherence including, cohesive markers and substitution devices

checking and correcting content and formatting of translated text for consistency and accuracy

using word processing and document management technology

meeting time and contractual requirements

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

purpose and implications of translation of special purpose texts, including types of translation defined in international standards

translating theories and techniques relevant to special purpose text assignments, including principles of:

formal and dynamic translation

literal and free translation

form based and meaning-based translation

direct and oblique translation

equivalence and functional equivalence

Assessment of this unit of competency must include use of translation source and target texts, examples of research and glossaries, assignment experiences and examples of interactions with colleagues and clients that demonstrate diverse skills and strategies for translating special purpose texts from English to LOTE.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment for this unit. Refer to advice in the Companion Volumes.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.

Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.

Translating and interpreting