This course will make students aware of the importance of intercultural communication for world peace and how through the industry of Education natural bridges can be built.

We will examine issues in intercultural communicative strategies as applied in different educational situations: international education, cultural and service-learning exchange programs, cross-cultural training, bilingual-bicultural education and schooling. Topics included are: Youth Exchange Programs, Teachers in an International context, International Education at University Level, International Students and International Student Advisers, Teachers and Cross-cultural trainers, Interacting with hosts, Education and Schooling.

El curso concientiza a los estudiantes sobre la importancia de la comunicación intercultural para la paz mundial y cómo a través de la industria de la Educación se construyen puentes naturales.

Se examinan cuestiones en estrategias comunicativas interculturales según se aplican en diferentes situaciones educacionales: educación internacional y programas de intercambio cultural y servicio-aprendizaje, capacitación intercultural, educación bilingüe y bicultural y en escuelas y colegios. Los temas tratados incluyen: Programas de Intercambio de Jóvenes, Profesores en contextos internacionales, Educación Internacional a nivel de educación superior, estudiantes internacionales y consejería académica internacional, profesores y entrenadores de comunicación intercultural, interacción con anfitriones, educación y escuelas.

This course encapsules an exploration into the art and craft of three forms of writing: the essay, creative writing, and the persuasive paper. We focus on the development and improvement of writing, research and critical thinking skill.s Students encounter a written work of art, (i.e. poetry, short play, or movie) and extend their experience of that and exchange of ideas about it through chats with a partner. “You should write in order to know what you think”, said Larry E Smith. In this course, students express what they think rather than what someone else thinks. Once written, chats become a form of essay (i.e. styles of essays like travel writing, nature writing, a and movie or film critiques). Students generate new endings to children’s literature for both an experience and creative re-writing.
The second part of the course will be oriented toward persuasive writing, which includes evidence and how to present that evidence in their particular field of study. Students are led to perform original research and to sharpen their critical thinking skills.

Este curso explora el arte y el oficio de tres tipos de redacción: el ensayo, la redacción creativa y la monografía persuasiva. Nos enfocamos en el desarrollo y mejora de la redacción, la investigación y el análisis crítico. Los estudiantes se enfrentan a una obra de arte escrita (i.e. poesía, obra de teatro corta o película) y extienden su experiencia de aquello al intercambio de ideas entre pares sobre el tema a través de un chateo. Según Larry E. Smith, “uno debe escribir para saber lo que piensa” En este curso, los estudiantes expresan lo que piensan antes que lo que otros piensan. Una vez escrito, los chats se vuelven una forma de ensayo (por ejemplo, estilos de ensayos como los diarios de viaje, sobre la naturaleza o cine crítica.)

Examines issues in multicultural societies such as USA, European Union, Russian Federation. A look at Ecuador as a Multicultural country. Case studies and role-plays.

Este curso examina cuestiones y problemáticas presentes en sociedades multiculturales tales como la estadounidense, europea, rusa. Igualmente, se estudia Ecuador como una sociedad multicultural. SE presentan casos y se hacen dramatizaciones.

This course will cover topics related to culture and the way people communicate through different types of symbols. It will give the student tools to communicate messages. This course also deals with the ways to understand stereotypes and the effects of culture shock on individuals removed from their societies.

En este curso se tratan temas relativos a la cultura y a la forma en que las personas se comunican a través de diversos símbolos. Ofrece al estudiante las herramientas para comunciar mensajes. Igualmente, el curso trata sobre las maneras de entender los estereotipos y los efectos del “choque cultural” en los individuos que se separan de sus sociedades.

Este curso estudia los problemas de género en la comunicación en general. Incluye la revisión de las representaciones de masculinidad y feminidad, y aplica la perspectiva de género para el análisis de la comunicación a nivel interpersonal, público y cultural.

This course examines the significant role of gender, that is, male-female cultural differences and communicative strategies in human behaviors as enacted in social spaces and relationships of daily life including, but not limited to, gender relations in the workplace, and personal and intercultural romantic interactions. In this course, students will examine research literature regarding sex, gender, and communication; critique methodologies and ideologies; and conduct limited research. Students will identify differences and similarities in communication across genders. Issues of power and concepts of difference across a variety of contexts will be analyzed. An overview of current world events related to gender issues.

This bilingual course introduces students to the world of legal English or “legalese”. It explores the cultural and linguistic differences between the US common law and the civil code systems as they pose particular challenges for translators, interpreters, attorneys, journalists & businessmen. Students enhance their English language skills working with actual legal documents from both judiciary systems presented in class for reading comprehension and analysis.

By comparing and contrasting the meanings of the legal concepts in both systems, students learn to use the appropriate terminology. The course examines different kinds of “false cognates” –differences (technical, non-linguistic) stemming from definition of terms by Ecuadorian law and common law systems (for example, terms such as “judgment”, “sentence”) as well as cultural or linguistic differences/connotations (for example, terms such as “agreement”, “wrongful”)

This course focuses on civil matters. Special readings complement research and glossary-building.

This bilingual course introduces students to the world of legal English or “legalese” focusing on criminal law. Special readings complement research and glossary-building.

The course explores the terminology cultural and lingüistic differences between the common law and the civil code systems as they pose particular challenges for translators, interpreters, attorneys, journalists & businessmen.  Students enhance their English language skills with actual legal documents from both judiciary systems presented in class for reading comprehension and analysis.

By comparing and contrasting the meanings of the legal concepts in both systems, students learn to use the appropriate terminology. The course examines different kinds of “false cognates” – technical, non linguistic differences stemming from definition of terms by Ecuadorian law and common law systems (for example, terms such as “offense”, “homicide”, “manslaughter”) as well as cultural and linguistic differences and connotations (for example, “crime”, “criminal”).

UINT301 Introduction to Interpretation (Spanish into English) This course lays the foundation for interpretation skills. It introduces the theory and techniques necessary to perform a professional consecutive interpretation from Spanish into English. The primary focus of this course is on the process of active listening and retention/memory skills.

This course is conducted as a laboratory where students observe their own short-term memory skills and explore with different kinds of memory exercises. They keep a log where they record details of practice sessions, their observations, difficulties, improvements, etc.

Toward the second half of the course, the interpreter’s note-taking system will be introduced and students will begin to develop their own. By the end of this course students will be able to accurately interpret a simple, 5-minute speech, from Spanish into English, with or without notes and will be able to critique each other’s performance professionally.

This course lays the foundation for interpretation skills. It introduces the theory and techniques necessary to perform a professional consecutive interpretation from English into Spanish. The primary focus of this course is on the process of active listening and retention/memory skills.
This course is conducted as a laboratory where students observe their own short-term memory skills and explore with different kinds of memory exercises. They keep a log where they record details of practice sessions, their observations, difficulties, improvements, etc.

Toward the second half of the course, the interpreter’s note-taking system will be introduced and students will begin to develop their own. By the end of this course students will be able to accurately interpret a simple, 5-minute speech, from English into Spanish, with or without notes and will be able to critique each other’s performance professionally.

En este curso se sientan las bases para la interpretación. Se ofrecen las técnicas para el desarrollo de la memoria y el marco teórico correspondiente para desarrollar una interpretación profesional. El proceso abarca desde aprender a escuchar activamente, asociaciones de ideas, ejercicios de retención y desarrollo de la memoria, hasta la toma de notas. El curso es eminentemente práctico y se espera que el estudiante cumpla sesiones de práctica y lleve una bitácora. Al final del curso el estudiante podrá interpretar un discurso sencillo de hasta 5 minutos del inglés al español con o sin notas y podrá hacer una crítica profesional a la interpretación de sus compañeros.

Liaison interpreting is a professional activity with many applications in the community. This course is designed to give students the skills, or the professional competency, needed to perform tasks using accurate language and register, and develop their vocabulary for a range of community interpreting settings (i.e. tour operation and logistics, information booths, international exhibits and events, visitor escorting, telephone, medical/paramedical, neighborhood watch/law enforcement agencies, emergency response/civil defense groups.)

Students develop the understanding of the ethical dilemmas community interpreters may face and will learn effective and appropriate cross-cultural skills to work in their local communities, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies.

This course is useful for people who are fluent in two languages (Spanish and English) and would like to open up part-time job opportunities and for those who are already working or volunteering as an interpreter and would like to improve their skills.  It emphasizes professionalism in community interpretation, punctuality, demeanor, mutual respect and cultural sensitivity as well as accuracy and fluency.

This class will familiarize students with the basic theory and techniques of classifying and analyzing text and speech patterns. We will discuss differences between Spanish and English in terms of punctuation, writing and speech styles, language structure and language use. We will practice summarizing and paraphrasing skills, which are vitally important for both interpretation and translation. We will look at various registers of speech and practice anticipation skills. We will also work on English idioms and metaphors.

This seminar-style course aims at furthering students’ consecutive interpretation skills.

Students will strengthen their basic interpreting skills, such as memory, summarization, visualization, paraphrasing and will particularly work on their note-taking techniques. Independent practice sessions are part of this course and students are required to keep a log and submit tapes as part of their non-contact hours assignments.

Students prepare speeches on scheduled topics for in-class presentation.  Teamwork is essential:  students research and prepare terminology weekly. 

Topics covered may be the same as those presented in the Introduction to Interpretation prerequisite courses (UINT 301-302), however, at this point these topics will be dealt with more in depth in terms of complexity of speech/discourse structure and content knowledge.

This seminar-style course aims at furthering students’ consecutive interpretation skills.

Students will strengthen their basic interpreting skills, such as memory, summarization, visualization, paraphrasing and will particularly work on their note-taking techniques. Independent practice sessions are part of this course and students are required to keep a log and submit tapes as part of their non-contact hours assignments.

Students prepare speeches on scheduled topics for in-class presentation.  Teamwork is essential:  students research and prepare terminology weekly. 

Topics covered may be the same as those presented in the Introduction to Interpretation prerequisite courses (UINT 301-302), however, at this point these topics will be dealt with more in depth in terms of complexity of speech/discourse structure and content knowledge.

By the end of this course students will be able to accurately interpret a non-complex 5 minute ( 1 stretch- 2 stretches: 10 min total) extemporaneous speech on a specific topic into English and/or into Spanish.

This course lays the foundation for professional simultaneous interpretation and coaches the student to discover his/her interpreting talent. In order to develop sound interpretation habits, students are eased into simultaneous interpretation. Initially, students perform a series of skill-building exercises that will gradually lead to the simultaneous interpretation of various kinds of speeches.

Students will be coached to develop the ability to observe/analyze their work, self critique their strategies, and recognize the opportunities for improvement.

By the end of this course students will be able to interpret simultaneously simple, general 15- to 20-minute speeches into their mother tongue (Spanish).

This advanced seminar-style course focuses on enhancing consecutive interpretation skills from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. Particular attention is placed on note-taking skills that will enable interpreter to accurately render a 10-minute speech into English and into Spanish. Students hone their consecutive skills by diagnosing and correcting problems at all stages from listening through delivery, while progressing to increasingly difficult and challenging material.
Students are expected to render a professional interpretation: delivery and accuracy are essential.
Although materials presented for interpretation are mainly from sectors of the business world in which consecutive interpretation is frequently used, students will also interpret political speeches.

Students prepare by researching topics before each session. The course emphasizes on sequential logic in note-taking and accurate terminology in delivery.

Although this course combines both modes of interpretation --consecutive and simul—its main focus is on building on and applying the strategies for simultaneous interpretation and delves right into professional interpretation materials. This is a content-based course where the interpretation students acquire background knowledge and learn about specific contexts in the areas of commerce, trade, global business, and management. Therefore, interpreter must focus on preparation for a conference or seminar through appropriate research strategies and teamwork. By acquiring knowledge of content areas (research and vocabulary-building activities) students will enhance their interpretation techniques. Just like in real life, because the amount of information to be processed is overwhelming, students are expected to work in teams. In simulation of smaller conference environments, consecutive interpretation will be applied.

This course is offered into the mother tongue Spanish.

This course prepares students to interpret legal-content and legal-context assignments and to understand basic legal concepts indispensable for accepting interpreting assignments of a legal nature. Students build on what they have learned in the Legal English courses I (civil matters) and II (criminal matters) and work with real life cases and materials out of English into Spanish. They learn how to prepare for a judiciary interpreting assignment. This class applies and develops sight translation skills as well as consecutive and simultaneous strategies.

This course prepares students to interpret medical content and medical-context assignments. It also focuses on research and preparation needed before accepting medical interpreting assignments of different kinds. In this course students apply their sight translation, consecutive, and simultaneous interpretation skills to serve different kinds of audiences: from one-on-one medical examination and consultation to a medical presentation at a small seminar, or a scientific paper out of English into Spanish. Real life materials are used and real-life situations are recreated in the classroom, also opportunities to attend and or work real events are included as part of this course.

The techniques learned previously are consolidated, which enables students to polish their delivery and language register. Focuses on nuance of meaning, accuracy of interpretation, research and preparation for conferences, and glossary development. Special attention is given to maintaining concentration while under significant psychological stress. Students learn to recognize SL discourse patterns and render them effectively in TL.

Topics include international politics, science, and technology.

This course is designed to bring interpretation knowledge and skills up to the professional level.  Students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their previous interpretation courses to produce interpretations of acceptable quality in a professional setting.

Students are also introduced to simultaneous interpretation with text. They learn how to draw upon outlines, transcripts, slides and transparencies, and other written materials to enhance the accuracy and completeness of their interpretation. Emphasis is placed on text preparation strategies and efficient use of textual materials while on the air.
Content emphasis is on current events on topics congruent with current market demand for interpretation in the language combination. Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment.

At the end of the course, students are able to interpret difficult passages derived from professional settings.

This course studies Spanish Language from three perspectives: its linguistic development, its history, and the most important morphologic, phonetic, and phonological aspects.         

Este programa propone el estudio de la LENGUA ESPAÑOLA desde tres perspectivas: su evolución lingüística, su historia, y sus aspectos morfológicos, fonéticos y fonológicos más sobresalientes.Nuestro idioma, el español, hasta convertirse en lo que hoy es, tuvo que atravesar por muchas fases determinadas por una serie de influencias idiomáticas que en lingüística llamamos superstrato, substrato y adstracto; esto es, considerando el influjo de la lengua conquistadora sobre la conquistada o viceversa, o la reciprocidad del mismo. 

Este proceso histórico y evolutivo y su incidencia en la fonética como en la morfología del idioma español es el objetivo central de nuestro estudio.

En este curso se estudia la utilización correcta de elementos gramaticales del idioma Español así como de diversos elementos paragramaticales del lenguaje que influyen en los matices expresivos de la lengua. Práctica en el empleo de varios tipos de redacción que se presentan en la vida profesional. Énfasis en la eliminación de usos incorrectos del idioma encontrados con frecuencia y que amenazan su pureza.

Este curso estudia la composición de la lengua española como lengua romance que integra diversos aportes lingüísticos (en especial del latín, griego y árabe) y su reflejo en la Ortografía.  Influencia de las culturas autóctonas americanas en el español hablado y escrito en América, todo ello con miras a observar las normas ortográficas de la RAE.

El traductor e intérprete tienen  al idioma como objeto  de  trabajo y por consiguiente han de esforzarse en cuidarlo,  expresándose con corrección.  Esta materia persigue enseñar al alumno de manera progresiva,  los rudimentos  de la correcta  expresión escrita del español mediante clases teóricas, que ocuparán un veinte por ciento del tiempo  dedicado a las  clases y ejercicios  prácticos de sintaxis, ortografía y  ortotipografía,   estilo y léxico, los cuales constituirán el ochenta por ciento restante.

Las artes, las ciencias, las profesiones, las antiguas técnicas y las nuevas tecnologías –especialmente estas últimas- poseen ya (y la mayoría de ellas generan a diario) numerosos conceptos agrupados en campos temáticos específicos y cubiertos por etiquetas denominativas representativas que reciben el nombre de términos. La disciplina que se ocupa de estudiar los términos desde un punto de vista teórico es conocida como terminología, y la que tiene como misión encontrar y desarrollar aplicaciones para dichos términos en el terreno de la práctica (por ejemplo mediante la creación de glosarios, creación de fichas etc) ha sido bautizada por los especialistas como terminografía. En este curso se estudian los fundamentos de las modernas ciencias de la terminología y la terminografía, a saber, conceptos generales de lingüística, desarrollo de  vocabulario por medio de la investigación etimológica e ideológica,  re-estructuración de textos, identificación de vocablos y composición de glosarios.

The professional practice of translation and interpretation must be accompanied by a discussion of the ethical values that support, shape, and condition this practice. This class introduces the students to the essential ethical values (dignity, loyalty, honesty, confidentiality, efficiency, quality, responsibility, freedom, solidarity, truthfulness, independence, reciprocity, self-control, etc.) that will govern their future professional behavior with regard to themselves, their clients, and their colleagues.

This course is a general introduction to the art of sight translation. The course covers the basic theory and techniques necessary to perform sight translation of texts, accurately and smoothly, into Spanish and into English. The focus of the course is practical. Students learn to skim texts, identifying subject-verb-object, and sight-translate different kinds of texts in class. In-class exercises are followed by a critique of their fellow student’s performance on the basis of meaning, syntax, grammar, pronunciation, and delivery.

Este curso es una introducción general al arte de la traducción a la vista. Trata la teoría básica y las técnicas necesarias para realizar traducción a la vista de textos de manera exacta y transparente, al inglés y al español. El enfoque es netamente práctico. Los estudiantes aprenden lectura rápida de textos, identificando sujeto-verbo-objeto y hacen traducción a la vista de diversos tipos de textos en clase. Los ejercicios van seguidos del análisis crítico del desempeño del colega en base a sentido, sintaxis, gramática, pronunciación y entrega.

This course introduces students to the art and science of professional translation.
This course presents students with the basic theory and techniques necessary to produce accurate translations from Spanish to English. The course focuses on translating ideas, not words. It emphasizes text analysis, the identification and solution of translation problems, the development of translation strategies, and the creation of readable, natural prose in the target language. To that end, students will work with a variety of authentic texts written for general audiences, in the several fields (from newspapers articles and magazines/periodicals).

Specific problems that arise when translating from Spanish into English are tackled. Special attention is paid to differences such as economy of words and length of paragraphs, collocations, idioms, calques and false cognates, and punctuation.

Students’ English draft translations are the basis for in-class analyses and discussions about the art and science of translation.

Discussions in class deal with issues such as what is translation, how you become a translator,  word choice and freedom of the translator, what is a backtranslation,  improvement on the original, dilemmas and decisions in translation and the power of the translator, differences between Spanish from Latin American and Spanish from Spain, among others.

This course introduces students to the art and science of professional translation.
This course deals with the basic theory and practices of translation from English to Spanish. It emphasizes text analysis, the identification and solution of translation problems, the development of translation strategies, and the creation of readable, natural prose in the target language. To that end, students will work with a variety of authentic texts written for general audiences (from newspaper articles and magazines).         

Discussions in class deal with issues such as what is translation, how you become a translator,  word choice and freedom of the translator, what is a backtranslation,  improvement on the original, dilemmas and decisions in translation and the power of the translator, differences between Spanish from Latin American and Spanish from Spain, among others.

Este curso es una introducción al arte y la ciencia de la traducción profesional. Se estudia la teoría básica y las prácticas de la traducción del inglés al español. Se pone énfasis en el análisis del texto, la identificación y solución de los problemas de la traducción, del desarrollo de las estrategias de traducción y la creación de textos, en prosa en la lengua término. Los estudiantes trabajan en una serie de textos auténticos escritos para público general (artículos periodísticos y de revistas)

En clase las discusiones versan sobre lo que es la traducción, cómo convertirse en traductor, elección de terminología y libertad del traductor, que es una traducción inversa, mejora del original, dilemas y decisiones en traducción y el poder del traductor. Además, se  observan las diferencias entre el castellano latinoamericano y el peninsular.

In general, in UTRA331 Traducción 1, it is assumed that students are working into their B-language (English). They learn what the marketplace demands for Spanish into English translations in terms of quality and client expectations: prompt, electronic file delivery of professional quality.         

In general, in UTRA 332 Traducción 1, it is assumed that students are working into their A-language (Spanish). They learn that total quality is a natural client expectation: the translation must not only be accurate but must also read well in Spanish, in terms of language style and register.         

Students learn to assess and improve a translated piece to meet minimum quality standards.         

Students learn to identify areas of weakness in their own translations. In this course, appropriate solutions to most frequent translation problems are discussed, i.e. restructuring syntax, passive vs. active, verbalization vs. nominalization, Spanish elegant variation vs. English consistency in text, among others.         

Just as in real-life, students work both individually and as a team. Students work on several (each other’s drafts) acceptable/correct translated versions of the original aimed at the same target audience. All exchange of documents and draft versions as well as consultations amongst “colleagues in training” is done via e-mail meeting agreed to deadlines.         

Punctuation issues for translators are examined, such as when to use italics, underlining and inverted commas. Also, the appropriate use of the exclamation and question marks, comma, parenthesis, colons, and semicolons in English and Spanish are emphasized.En este curso los estudiantes trabajan desde y hacia su lengua materna. Aprenden sobre las exigencias del mercado profesional en cuanto a calidad y expectativas del cliente: entrega puntual por medios electrónicos y calidad profesional. La traducción debe ser fiel al original y debe leerse con fluidez en términos de lenguaje, estilo y registro. El estudiante aprende a identificar áreas de debilidad y a hacer un análisis crítico de traducciones de colegas. Trabajan en grupo e individualmente, tal como ocurre en la vida real.

In this course students will work with technical and scientific materials which pose different challenges to translators. Students learn to deal with volume and tight deadlines and learn ways to approach assignments that are challenging due to the terminology involved or due to the nature of the topics themselves. Background research and glossary-building are emphasized and good teamwork is required to produce a final copy.

In general, in UTRA341 Translation 2 into English, it is assumed that students are working into their B-language (English).
In general, in UTRA 342 Translation 2 into Spanish, it is assumed that students are working into their A-language (Spanish).

This course provides the student the basic techniques for editing, proofreading, revision, identifying and correcting mistakes in original and translated texts. Students will learn computer procedures and will work on real cases/authentic materials. Thus, this course focuses specifically on total quality control of completed products.  To obtain such goals, the student will become familiar with the standard tools used for fulfilling such tasks. Furthermore, the student will develop the adequate and necessary critical competence in order to asses whether a translated text needs to be revised, and to what extent.  Précis writing techniques and exercises are also covered in this course.

This course builds on the theoretical and practical foundations laid in the previous English to Spanish translation courses and introduces the translation of specialized subject matter in a professional context.  It is designed to bring translation knowledge and skills up to the level that would be required of a professional translator.  Translations should meet high standards for content, form and presentation. This course assumes that students are translating into their A-language Spanish.

This course develops the ability to sight translate different kinds of texts with accuracy and fluency into Spanish as the mother tongue. Accuracy and fluency must flow for student to be able to produce a good rough translation draft, ready for polishing and editing. This course works on syntax, register, and style, as well as preparation for dealing with complex texts in different fields as demanded by the market. This course further develops content knowledge and expands vocabulary in both source and target languages. Students become familiar with voice-recognition technologies and apply analytical skills and on the spot text analysis to produce accurate sight translation into Spanish.  Public Speaking skills are refined as students confidently perform in class using all sorts of authentic materials. This course assumes that students are translating into their A-language Spanish. Specialized readings are part of this exciting course.

This course develops the ability to sight translate different kinds of texts with accuracy and fluency into English as the B-language. Accuracy and fluency must flow for student to be able to produce a good rough translation draft, ready for polishing and editing. This course works on syntax, register, and style, as well as preparation for dealing with complex texts in different fields as demanded by the market. This course further develops content knowledge and expands vocabulary in both source and target languages. Students become familiar with voice-recognition technologies and apply analytical skills and on the spot text analysis to produce accurate sight translation into Spanish.  Public Speaking skills are refined as students confidently perform in class using all sorts of authentic materials. This course assumes that students are translating into their B-language English. Specialized readings are part of this exciting course.

This course builds on the theoretical and practical foundations laid in the previous Spanish to English translation courses and introduces the translation of specialized subject matter.  It is designed to bring translation knowledge and skills up to the level that would be required of a professional translator.  Translations should meet high standards for content, form and presentation. This course assumes that students are translating into their B-language English.

In this course students will work on real projects whether in Spanish or in English. Students approach the translation project as a team of translators who respond to a certain client job order and will produce and deliver a professional translation under the supervision of the professor.

There is a theoretical component that focuses on translation procedures.