Submissions/Wikipedia in teaching translation at the university level

From Wikimania 2013 • Hong Kong

This is an accepted submission for Wikimania 2013.

Submission no.
2041
Subject no.
B5
Title of the submission
Wikipedia in teaching translation at the university level
Type of submission
presentation
Author of the submission
Łukasz Golowanow
Country of origin
Poland
Affiliation
University of Gdańsk
E-mail address
lukasz@konflikty.pl
Username
User:Airwolf
Personal homepage or blog
Abstract
The presentation details a course at the Department of Translation of the University of Gdańsk which focuses on translating Wikipedia articles as a means of teaching aspiring translators. It is an innovative method of utilizing Wikipedia in an academic environment. For the students it is a new, captivating form of learning, which stands out by virtue of the medium being used. For Wikipedia, it is a chance to expand (as far as smaller Wikipedias are concerned) and acquire new, skilled and educated editors. The long term goal would be enouraging a) translation teaching institutions to adapt a similar approach; b) universities to accept the presence of Wikipedia.
Detailed proposal
  • For three years, the Department of Translation of the University of Gdańsk had organized a course by the name of Wiki Translation (conf.). A Wikipedia administrator and graduate of the aforementioned Department, I was chosen to arrange and conduct the course in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Its goal is twofold:
    • To train aspiring translators in various aspects of the trade. Texts (articles) selected pertain to various aspects of knowledge, ranging from history to biology. All of them, however, are good articles or featured articles, which ensures their overall high quality. Feedback emphasises issues such as factual accuracy of translation, style, information mining, cultural context and competence, but also seemingly minor issues such as spelling and punctuation. Supplementary emphasis is placed on the topic of copyright and source analysis.
    • To help expand Wikipedia in Polish, at least to a limited extent. Generally, texts used for practical teaching of translation are used only for the purpose of the course, and after feedback and analysis are never returned to again. Wiki Translation changes this state of affairs, as the texts are post-feedback moved to the main namespace, where they serve users of Wikipedia. Articles translated include en:Mozart in Italy, en:Postage stamps of Ireland, en:Huangshan, en:Museum of Bad Art, en:Haapsalu Castle et al. Throughout the course texts are chosen by the teacher (usually two or three per round, with the students instructed to select one), additionaly for the grade each student selects a text according to his or her own preference. Thus, students are also encouraged to edit Wikipedia at their own discretion, with the hope that at least some of them will remain members of the project after the course is finished.
  • I wish to present the concept of the course as an innovative method of utilizing Wikipedia in an academic environment, the courses potential, the benefits and difficulties that come with it. For the students it is a new, captivating form of learning, which stands out by virtue of the medium being used. For Wikipedia (in any language), it is a chance to expand (as far as smaller Wikipedias, ie. not in English, are concerned) and acquire new, skilled and educated editors. The long term goal would be enouraging a) translation teaching institutions worldwide to adapt a similar approach; b) universities in general to accept the presence of Wikipedia.


Track
Cultural and Educational Outreach
Length of presentation/talk
20 minutes
Language of presentation/talk
English
Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?
Yes
Slides or further information (optional)
none
Special requests
Due to my time of arrival the best day for me to give my presentation would be Sunday. However, this is not a must, Saturday is also OK.


Interested attendees

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  1. GastelEtzwane (talk) 16:06, 4 May 2013 (UTC) Interested in ways to involve students.[reply]
  2. Muriel Staub (WMCH) (talk) 08:33, 27 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]
  3. Add your username here.
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