Dutch language practice and introduction to Dutch-French translation

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Translation of general interest texts with different levels of language, different registers and a variety of domains. Approach to the cultural references encountered in the texts. Notions of contrastive linguistics. Initiation in online research techniques.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

The course develops the four skills in Dutch by means of practical reading, listening, written and oral expression based on texts and real audiovisual material taken from the Dutch-speaking media. By analyzing the supporting material, the students will be requested to ensure that they have a deep understanding of all the nuances and cultural references as well as implicit messages understood in the texts and audiovisual extracts.

Learning activities will also focus on vocabulary acquisition mainly via writing assignments based on the topics broached in class. Formative vocabulary assessments will also take place on a regular basis.

Given the practical nature of the activities, active and regular participation is obligatory.

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

At the end of the course, students will be able to translate general interest texts, i.e. analyse them and transmit and reformulate the meaning. They will be able to use basic translation tools (monolingual and bilingual dictionaries) and take into account the specificities of the source and target languages.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

At the end of the course the student will be capable of :

-understanding and correctly transcribing the authentic audiovisual supports of medium difficulty from the Dutch media.

-finding explicit and implicit messages contained in the written and audiovisual supports.

The student will be capable, using correct language (written and/or oral) of:

-summarizing and commenting on texts with an average level of difficulty from the Dutch media;

-explaining and paraphrasing sections of text;

-explaining in his or her own words, the nuances and cultural references in the supporting material;

- using recently learned vocabulary adequately (+ synonyms, antonyms) in written and verbal output;

-writing coherent and correct notes on a text of medium length on a subject dealt with during the academic year.

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Good functional knowledge of Dutch (Level B1 of the CEFR). Very good command of the target language (Level C2).

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

Good working knowledge of the Dutch language (Level B1 of the CEFR).

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Individual and collective translation exercises. Critical feedback provided in class. Initiation in the translation of cultural references. Translation exercises focused on Dutch vs. French linguistic characteristics.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

The learning activities organised in class are based on MANDATORY pre-reading tasks and assignments:

• Practical reading and oral exercises (comprehension: explaining and paraphrasing passages, answering questions relating to content, definition of words, search for synonyms and antonyms, identifying the correct meaning of polysemic words based on the context).
• Listening tasks (authentic support material).
• Vocabulary exercises.
• Writing assignments (summaries, critical comment, paraphrasing,...

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Two-hour lesson every two weeks, the first and second quadrimesters.

Written preparation of translations at home. Comparison and group critical correction of the work prepared individually.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face learning. Interactive language learning class.

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

References and media :
- A syllabus including texts and translation exercises based on the following book:
J.V. Baardewijk-Rességuier, M.V. Willigen-Sinemus, Matériaux pour la traduction du néerlandais en français (Dick Coutinho, Bussum, 3ème édition 1996)

This syllabus is to be downloaded from eCampus at the beginning of each term.

- A bilingual Dutch/French dictionary (Van Dale)

- M. Grévisse et A. Goosse, Le bon usage

-A Dutch dictionary (Van Dale Groot woordenboek Nederlands voor school)
- A French dictionary (Le Petit Robert)

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

A syllabus including texts and exercises will be posted on the E-campus platform at the beginning of each term.

• Required Readings:
  
  Ph. HILIGSMANN, P. DEGRAVE, K. VAN GOETHEM, L. RASIER, Néerlandais - 100 fautes, les erreurs courantes des francophones. Louvain-la -Neuve : De Boeck, 2023 (3rd Edition)
  
  L. MA NEZA - Onvertaalbaar: een ode aan meertaligheid. Gent : Academia press, 2026
  
  
  Recommended Readings (Additional language exercices) - copies can be obtained from your instructor.
  
  HENN, C./VROMANS, J./BIJLEVELD, H.-A., Pratique du néerlandais de A à Z. Namur : Didier Hatier, 2004 + livre d'exercices
  
  VANDERBERGHE J-P., GONDRY A., DEBRULLE A., Nederlandse Oefenbijbel, Exercices systématiques de grammaire néerlandaise (Didier Hatier, 2015)
   
  
  Reading the Dutch-speaking press regularly (De Morgen - De Volkskrant)

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Additional information:

Written exam at the end of the academic year (translation and exercises similar to those done in class).

Hardcover Dutch dictionaries allowed at the written exams.

The mark obtained for the midterm exam in January will count for 30% of the June final mark if it reaches 10/20 or more. The mark will have no effect on the final grade if it doesn't reach 10/20 .

This teaching unit ("Unité d'enseignement," or UE) is subject to the principle of the "note absorbante," which means that the student having obtained a mark below 8/20 for one of the learning activities ("activités d'apprentissage," or AA) will receive a failing grade for the entire unit and will have to retake the failed AA in the second session regardless of the mathematical average of the two AA grade.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam AND oral exam


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam


Further information:

• 25%: written exam in January : Vocabulary exercises, writing tasks, Listening comprehension.
• 50 %: written exam in June : writing tasks, reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary exercises.
• 25 %: oral exam : based on press articles (Extra teksten). The student will be questioned orally on the contents and vocabulary of the articles. The second part of the oral exam will rely on the student's response to the reading of the essay Onvertaalbaar, by Lisette Ma Neza.

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

It is strongly advised NOT to make use of any AI or machine-translation tools in the translation exercises for this class, as they are meant to develop and enhance translation and critical skills with regard to the source text.

The access to digital devices is therefore forbidden at exams.

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

• It is strongly advised not to make use of any AI or machine-translation tools in writing assignments for this class as such assignments are meant to develop and enhance personal linguistic skills. The access to digital tools is therefore forbidden during exams.
• Excursions or short trips to Flanders or the Netherlands may substitute for one or more classes. Information will follow in due course.

Introduction to Dutch-French translation

Magali Claeskens : magali.claeskens@uliege.be

rue de Pitteurs, L3 building

Dutch language practice (Dutch)

Magali Claeskens : magali.claeskens@uliege.be