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The Open University

Exploring languages and cultures

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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Explore the multiple relationships between languages and cultures. In this free course you will learn about the benefits and challenges of meeting people from different cultures and the ways in which language and human communities shape each other. You will look at the role of intercultural competence at the workplace, reflect on the use of English as lingua franca in international contexts, and get a flavour of the skills involved in language-related professions such as translation and interpreting.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Intercultural encounters
  • 1 Intercultural encounters
  • 1.1 An encounter in a shop
  • 1.2 A German dinner party
  • 1.3 Reflecting on cultural differences
  • 1.4 Interview with Professor Byram
  • 1.5 What about you?
  • 2 Using a lingua franca
  • 2 Using a lingua franca
  • 2.1 The term ‘lingua franca’
  • 2.2 English as a lingua franca
  • 3 Languages, cultures and communities
  • 3 Languages, cultures and communities
  • 3.1 Language communities
  • 3.2 Slang
  • 3.2.1 Cockney rhyming slang
  • 3.2.2 Polari, argot and Lunfardo
  • 3.2.3 The purpose of slang
  • 3.3 Language and profession
  • 3.3.1 Same term, different meanings
  • 3.3.2 Adapting to your audience
  • 3.3.3 Jargon
  • 3.3.4 Features of technical language
  • 3.3.5 Rewriting specialist phrases
  • 4 Intercultural competence at work
  • 4 Intercultural competence at work
  • 4.1 Introducing Guidance
  • 4.2 Benefits and challenges
  • 4.2.1 A multicultural workforce
  • 4.3 Doing business in different languages
  • 4.3.1 Using interpreters
  • 4.3.2 Using a shared language
  • 4.4 Doing business in different cultures
  • 4.4.1 Managing diversity
  • 5 Translation and interpreting
  • 5 Translation and interpreting
  • 5.1 What is interpreting about?
  • 5.2 Comparing translating and interpreting
  • 5.2.1 Two different professions
  • 5.3 Methods of interpreting
  • 5.4 The contexts of interpreting
  • 5.4.1 Who is entitled to a court interpreter?
  • 5.4.2 Remaining impartial
  • 5.4.3 Accuracy versus effectiveness
  • 5.5 Computers and translation
  • 5.5.1 The back-translation test
  • 5.5.2 The limits of computer translation
  • 5.6 Improving a translation
  • 5.7 Mediating through ‘transcreation’
  • 5.7.1 The skills of a transcreationist
  • 5.8 Mediation and power
  • 5.9 Subtitling
  • 6 Interview with Reeta Chakrabarti
  • 6 Interview with Reeta Chakrabarti
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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4.9 rating at OpenLearn based on 16 ratings

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