Studying English was not a plan I had for myself, but one that the path I am on lead me to see that it was necessary if I want to further myself in any field that I choose to eventually work in. Currently I teach small kids, but choosing this career was more about versitility, that I wouldn't be anchored to only a teaching degree, but that I would have other optioins if I ever decide to go into other areas in a variety of industries such as publishing, marketing, diplomacy, the options are endless, and no just limited to education.
As a non-native speaker of Spanish, I use critical thinking skills every day to navigate though my life in Panama and communicate effectively Reading and understanding written texts I have to understand and decode key words and phrases, and make sense of the information I am reading, espeically if there are cultural nuances involved!
Communicating on a daily basis with Spanish speakers I have to decifer and understand their tone, idioms, and cultural references, which as we know, are used in everyday language. Just going through the day requires constant adaptation to the culture and language when you are not a native speaker of the language, and no matter how long you live in a certain country or place, once you were not born there, or it isn't your first language, you will always learn something new each day!
Project 1A Paraphrasing
New article in English and Spanish practicing paraphrasing.
Project 1B Translation
Translation of paraphrasing project identifying techniques used.
Project 2A Text Summary
Summarizing Translation course material using chapters of the book.
Project 2B Summary Translation
Translation of Summary and comparisions with techniques used.
Project 3A Literary Translation ES-EN
Translation of Literary work Spanish to English, analyzing techniques used.
Project 3B Literary Translation EN-ES
Translation of Literary work English to Spanish, analyzing techniques used in the translated work.
Project 4A Video Translation
ES-EN
Video translation analysis using SRT tool to facilitate video translation, while identifying techniques applied.
Project 4B Video Translation
EN-ES
Video translation analysis using SRT tool to facilitate video translation, while identifying techniques applied.
Project 5A Legal Translation
International Law treaty translation identifying techniques used in the articles presented.
Project 5B Legal Translation Local ES-EN
Local document translation of a Spanish legal document into English identifying stratgies and techniques applied in the translation
Optional 1A & B
Spanish, English and French song versions comparing songs translated, or adapted to fit in the respective translation.
In my portfolio review, I found that both Moodle and Google Sites offer distinct advantages for facilitating learning activities. Moodle is excellent for managing course content and quizzes, allowing students to test their knowledge and track their progress effectively. In contrast, Google Sites fosters creativity and collaboration, enabling the creation of interactive projects and resource sharing. This hands-on approach immerses students in practical learning, allowing them to engage actively with the material by applying their knowledge and understanding in meaningful ways.
One notable project was the legal translation assignments, which provided a practical way to prepare for a career in translation. Familiarizing myself with the terminology and resources necessary for translating important documents enhanced my skill set and confidence in tackling professional tasks. Additionally, I particularly enjoyed the optional project comparisons, as they explored how translation plays a significant role in music, especially with the rise of Latin crossovers in the industry. This project highlighted the creative aspects of translation, where capturing the essence of lyrics while considering melody, structure, and rhyme became essential. It was an engaging way to see how translation transcends traditional boundaries and adapts to cultural shifts.
Overall, the combination of structured learning through Moodle and creative exploration via Google Sites has enriched my educational experience. To further enhance the effectiveness of the class, I suggest integrating perhaps peer-review work, or working in teams of two or three to present projects, encouraging collaboration between members of the class. However, this course is structured in a way that allows each person to work at thier own pace, which is something that has been useful for those of us who juggle many different jobs, careers, and tasks while studying simultaneously!
As always thanks for a great course.
Blessings
Ghislaine